Minister of Health Andrew Little was in Whanganui on Thursday, meeting with Māori and iwi health practitioners tasked with delivering a new programme for at-risk mothers and their whānau.
He Puna Ora, roughly translated as "the source of wellness", is a partnership between local iwi health providers in the Whanganui, Ruapehu and Rangitīkei communities, overseen by the Whanganui District Health Board's Māori Health Outcomes Advisory Group.
Groups involved in the partnership include Te Oranganui Trust, Te Kotuku Hauora, Nga Waihua o Paerangi Trust, Te Puke Karanga Health and Mokai Patea Services.
The service aims to support young wāhine and their pēpi (children) through a mixture of both wānanga and mātauranga (Māori knowledge). The service specifically caters towards mothers who are battling substance abuse with alcohol or drugs, and are poorly connected to health and social service support.
Te Oranganui Mātaiwhetū/chief executive Wheturangi Walsh-Tapiata said the new service was a by-Māori-for-Māori approach, with a large focus on whānau and community.