April 2016 Number 17

Ka tangi te titiWeaving Wellness – Whanau Ora

In This Issue Collaboration Introducing Staff profile –

Melanie Reed 1000 Days Trust Toi Toi Maori Art &

Gift Shop Te Rau Marae On the horizon

Contact Us92 Spey StreetInvercargillPh: (03) 214 5260Fax: (03) 214 5262Free phone:0800 925 242Check out our website

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1000 Days Trust

Aroha ki te Tangata – Highest regard for the welfare and wellbeing of mankind.

Nga Kete is collaborating with a private Invercargill therapy centre to enable better access to health services for whanau in Southland.Nga Kete CEO Tracey Wright-Tawha caught up with Dr Kay McKenzie and Lynley Wilton from the Invercargill Child and Family Centre after they approached her to discuss a collaboration proposal to enable the referring of patients between the agencies.The collaboration is progressing with a pilot. Nga Kete can refer whanau where the barrier of cost is removed as an enabler to access. By agreeing to collaborate, both agencies will be able to refer between one another allowing whanau access to therapy services they may not have been able to access otherwise. Whanau will also be referred from the Invercargill Child and Family Centre to Nga Kete’s full range of services which are free other than their general practice, He Puna Waiora Wellness Centre which is a very low cost access option for whanau. Nga Kete CEO Tracey Wright-Tawha is often on the lookout for relationships with reputable agencies and looking at ways to enable Whanau access to services in Southland.  “We will invest in opportunities that benefit whanau and we are delighted to be forging this emerging relationship with Dr McKenzie and her inspiring team,” said Tracey Wright-Tawha.Dr Kay McKenzie said she had decided to approach Nga Kete because of the breadth of support it already provided in the community, its robust infrastructure and strong leadership.Lynley Wilton continued:  “We see a need and we just can’t meet it and

Nga Kete collaborates with private Invercargill Health

Centre

CEO Tracey Wright-Tawha with Dr Kay McKenzie and Lynley Wilton

We enjoyed catching up with representatives from the 1000 Day Trust recently. The trust offers a programme which includes residential stay and support for parents/caregivers and baby to enhance their positive relationship and whanau journey. The first 1000 days of a child’s life are the most important!

Toi Toi Maori Art & Gift Shop

Packing up begins this week at the existing location at the Cambridge Arcade! It’s been a fantastic … years in the arcade but it’s time for us to move on! Don’t forget to check out our new location at 119 Dee Street, opening soon!

On the Horizon

that’s heart breaking but together we can offer so much more”.Both agencies have a shared aspiration around Whanau ora (family wellness) and are working from the synergy of Aroha ki te Tangata. The women agree a successful outcome of the collaboration would contribute to resilient, strong and healthy Whanau in Southland.Dr Kay McKenzie and NKMP CEO Tracey Wright-Tawha have plenty in common. The successful women both started their respective careers many years ago with the intention of making a change in the health and wellness sector in the south.The Invercargill Child and Family centre is located on Esk St and provides a range of therapy services for Southlanders including psychology, counselling, family therapy, equine-assisted psychotherapy, occupational therapy and music therapy.

Introducing...You may have recently noticed we’ve started updating our materials with our BRAND NEW LOGO! The new agency logo is reflective of a more

modern, contemporary setting with the design in the letter P representing whanau and the branch we are all connected to – humanity. The logo is cleaner than our earlier logo and reflects a coming of age and our desire to remain current and relevant in our space in the NGO landscape. We’re so excited to present our new logo to the public!

Staff ProfileMelanie Reed

Quality Assurance manager Melanie Reed has been a staff member at Nga Kete for about 13 years. She started in a junior administration position in her early 20’s and has, throughout the years, held several positions including general manager, PA and has managed teams and filled in as acting CEO.She has watched the agency evolve over the years (there were just three staff members and a driver when she started) and believes one of the biggest changes was aligning all services under one roof. Another was the implementation of He Puna Waiora, which had always been a dream of the agency.

We have tons of activities and events coming up!

We’ve introduced our new-look logo!

A new programme aimed to reduce harm and risk to Rangatahi is set to begin focusing on providing education and information for Rangatahi around alcohol and drugs.

He Puna Waiora is now open until 7pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (For enrolled patients by appointment only).

Our website has been updated and refreshed.

More new staff to begin soon!

“It complements the wrap-around service we’ve always talked about.”Her current role, Quality Assurance Manager, includes policies and procedures, working alongside external auditors, best practice, coordinating internal audits and evaluations and managing the

administration team.The mother of three has stayed on the job for more than a decade because of the whanau-centred nature of the agency and the support it provides its staff.“The agency is about people. I like helping people whether it’s welcoming people at reception and ensuring they are comfortable to being behind the scenes working on policies, internal audits and evaluations - The stuff that keeps staff and clients safe, the infrastructure and foundations of the agency for best practice and quality of service.”“I feel well connected to the mission, the vision and the values of the agency.”A word from the CEO: Melanie embodies the philosophy and essence of Nga Kete and is considered by myself as a significant and valued stakeholder in the business. She is an enabler and detail queen! I adore her!

Te Rau MaraeOur fantastic CEO Tracey Wright-Tawha and Finance and Social Enterprises Manager Joanne White joined Nga Taonga on their recent visit to Te Rau Aroha Marae. The pair had a fabulous time and look forward to the next visit!

Mauri Ora! Kia pai to ra

Melanie with her whanauPhoto: Ishotz Photography by Jaime Smith