Maori mental health service opens to fill gap

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drawers and storage bins The Maori health provider taking over the mental health services of Te Rapuora from next week will be based at Witherlea House, at Wairau Hospital in Blenheim.

Te Kahui Hauora o Ngati Koata will open its new office on January 7.

Ngati Koata director James Reneti said staff would be contacting clients by telephone during the first week to line up appointments, which would be available from January 14.

Managers had interviewed applicants for staff positions and seven jobs had been offered to people – six in Marlborough and one in Nelson.

Another member of staff would be em- ployed in Nelson by the end of February, Mr Reneti said. All seven positions had been offered to former Te Rapuora staff.

Not all job offers had been accepted yet and Ngati Koata was waiting to hear back from individuals.

The Nelson Marlborough District Health Board had offered the Nelsonbased health provider a space at Witherlea House, Mr Reneti said.

The cost of renting the space had not been discussed.

Ngati Koata would probably be based at Witherlea House for six months until proposed changes to Maori health services across the top of the South Island came into effect.

Plans were to establish one Maori health provider in July.

Te Rapuora closes today because of financial problems. It was at the corner of Grove Rd and Budge St in Blenheim.

Te Kahui Hauora o Ngati Koata will become the lead provider of Maori mental health in the region, supported by Te Hauora O Te Awhina, in Motueka.

They will deliver community-based alcohol and drug services and employ community support workers for adults and young people.

Blenheim-based providers Maata Waka Ki Te Tau Ihu Trust and Te Hauora o Ngati Rarua are taking over Te Rapuora’s personal health services.

An emergency helpline has been set up during the holiday period for clients affected by the closure of Te Rapuora.

People can call 0800 633 324 if they need help before January 7, when the new health providers take over.