Ruapehu Whānau Transformation Plan

Kimihia rangahaua kei hea koutou ka ngaro nei. Tēnā ka riro ki Paerau. Ki te huihuinga o te kahurangi. E oti atu, e. E ngā rangatira o te iwi kua hoki ki te po i tēnei tau, te po uriuri, te po tangotango, te iwi nui o te po, e oki!

Huri atu te po, nau mai te ao!

Tēnā tātou me te mihi ka tika i tēnei taku mihi whakamutunga ki a koutou, e pa ana ki te kaupapa o RWT.

It is my honour to present the final report for the Ruapehu Whānau Transformation plan (RWT), as this was the last year of implementation for this plan and project.

Ruapehu Wellness Centre – still a reality! - Tihiora Ruapehu Wellness Summit

We started the year with an amazing event that was dreamed up in the Waituhi co-working space; Tihiora the inaugural Ruapehu Wellness Summit held over 14- 15 April 2021.

Over two days we brought together an amazing line up of local and national speakers to inspire, share and encourge pathways to wellness. Between 75-110 people participated in the event which included both listening about, and engaging in wellness experiences.

Among others, Professor Sir Mason Durie and Pā Rob McGowan were drawcards. We thank and acknowledge all of our speakers, their knowledge experience and gifts that were shared with those in attendance and the hundreds who connected in through the live stream.

Many felt a sense of enlightenment and transformation progressing their own wellness journeys forward.

The event was intentionally designed to support the conversations that our community and local health professionals needed to have in pursuit of designing the new Ruapehu Wellness Centre. From the research it was clear that our local population needed more time to see what was possible when designing a new facility and services that should consider holistic wellbeing of the people that the facility will serve. The conversations ignited through the summit have broadened the hearts and minds of our local community and service providers and for this Tihiora achieved its goal. It achieved far more than that one goal though and it is beacuse of this that I encourage the iwi and the community to continue to hold Tihiora events to explore solutions and platforms that provide pathways to wellness.

The new Ruapehu Wellness Centre (RWC) website showcases Tihiora, and other details of the project. The livestream of Tihiora can still be found online via the RWC facebook page.

Manawanui, Manawaroa, Manawaora E!

In 2021 we launched a report, Manawanui, Manawaroa, Manawaora E! This report is available on the Rupaehu Wellness Centre website. It outlines an extensive engagement process held amongst all of our community, including all health professionals and service providers who will have a relationship to the new Wellness Centre. The report presents insights and recommendations for how the services or model of care for the new centre could be designed and confirmed. It provides an enriched and authentic view from our local community who the service and model will need to cater to. We feel it is a powerful resource and a foundation to build the new service model and holistic approach of the Ruapehu Wellness Centre upon. It outlines key agents who can support the change required to the local health system and even spells out exactly how they can help.

The outcomes of Tihiora alongside the Manawanui, Manawaroa, Manawaora E report strengthened the case for the resource to build the new Ruapehu Wellness Centre be included into the new Health Localities Plan. This means that though the 2021 Health Reforms created a new health landscape, our aspiration to transform our local health system into a wellness system through the establishment of a centre will endure, including the Crowns resource of between $2-5million.

However, it will be important to continue to influence the new landscape. There will be many ways to do this. One way is to ensure that Ngāti Rangi is represented strongly on the new Iwi Partnership board and our relationship to the new governance models of the New Zealand Health Authority – Te Whatu Ora and the Māori Health Authority – Te Aka Whaiora are established well.

While there is debate amongst the previous governance of the project over which should come first, the model of care, or the building itself – I have always held the position that there is no perfect way to start, the critical thing is to just get started! Through human nature we often require the physical manifestation of change to believe in it. So the strucutre of the facility could absolutely change the way in which our services change, and more importantly realising the change through being able to ‘see it’ in a new space and environment can empower our local whānau to demand for that change.

Solution 14: RWT Data

The RWT website has been updated with some infographics that highlight some of the trends and shifts in a very simple way. The infographics are just to introduce the idea that we can and should be providing regular updates of the impact being made, whether it is in RWT, RWC or any community project being led by anyone. It holds the project lead accountable and it allows the community to keep up with, and participate in the journey.

Data provides discussion points, and evidence to guide action and investment. For those in our community who were the Ruapehu Whānau Transformation reference group, or a part of the project teams they will know and be able to continue to share their knowledge of the stats – stories – solutions methodology.

We encourage them and others to continue to use this methodology to support the mahi toward collective wellbeing as Ruapehu!

Rarangahia te taurawhiri tangata kia hua ai te marama Bringing people together to make a difference

After effectively 10 years of ‘stirring the pot’ creating change, platforms for change and encouraging relationships connections and an approach to working together to achieve change, the blueprint of the plans are complete. The task now moves to all of our whānau, communities and leaders to remember the achievements made together and how when they come together they can create ‘new colours and more beautiful things’ through their shared lens and love.

In the 10 years of RWT experience I have learnt many many things. One valuable lesson is to keep the approach simple and grounded. To allow yourself to learn as you lead, and evolve as is needed. Despite the complexities of the challenges we face toward achieving wellness for ourselves and with others, the one thing that binds us all is our belief in the shared pursuit, and its Why. The glue that supports this is love aroha; aroha ki te tāngata, aroha ki te taiao. Let love guide us, let purpose ground us, let work ethic pursue the destination. I wish you all well as you take the learnings of RWT forward to collectively suppot the continued pursuit of wellbeing for Ruapehu.

Erena Mikaere, Project Manager, Ruapehu Whānau Transformation