Board axes Maori health trust

A Napier Maori mental health provider paid $1.5 million during the past three years has been dumped by the Hawkes Bay District Health Board after a damning audit.

The audit revealed a total absence of qualified staff, poor management and non-existent financial records in the Hine Ko Tou Ariki charitable trust.

The health board has paid the trust more than $1.5 million for contracts since 2001.

The trust was contracted to provide Maori mental health services, Maori alcohol and drugs services, work rehabilitation and accommodation for people with mental illness.

It also offers an adult respite service, where mentally ill people can spend nights in a whanau setting.

The 45-page audit praised work by the trust's "coalface" staff, despite their lack of training and support from management.

Most of the trust's contracts relate to Wairua Lodge in Napier, which houses up to seven people suffering from mental illness.

The health board's mental health manager, Mary Wills, said: "It is disappointing to report that despite offers of assistance the trust has been reluctant to address high-priority issues."

Trust chief executive Wiremu Macrae was unaware yesterday that the trust had lost its contracts.

"We're holding ongoing meetings with the DHB. We've progressed and I can only hope they are happy with us," he said.

He disputed the audit's findings.

- NZPA