Koha Aperahama, Yoko Steel with her 4-month-old son, Lunay, Sue Bree and Deb Pittam. Photo / Supplied
Koha Aperahama, Yoko Steel with her 4-month-old son, Lunay, Sue Bree and Deb Pittam. Photo / Supplied
KAIPARA CONNECTION
Feedback from a meeting on maternity services in Dargaville showed many people support the reopening of the Kaipara District's birthing unit at Dargaville Hospital and the need for a maternity hub.
The public got to have their say on future plans for maternity services in the region, by attending the meeting and having their say with staff from the Northland District Health Board's maternity team.
Maternity quality and safety programme leader Sue Bree said one of the main themes to come out of the meeting was that many of those in attendance would like to see the return of a birthing unit.
"They really want it to reopen and they also want more localised services.
"They mentioned having something, like a maternity hub, that included access to having ultrasounds and specialist appointments in Dargaville, as they brought up the cost and inconvenience of having to travel to Whangarei as prohibitive and a reason for needing this.
"They also would like more ante-natal classes and asked about the possibility of a local midwife who could provide continuity of care."
Baylys Beach resident Yoki Steel said she would like to see the birthing unit reopen.
"It would make life easier, if woman could birth locally, also I think they need to promote their maternity unit up at the hospital, so more people use it after the birth of their babies."
All up 25 attended the open meeting, at the Northern Wairoa Boating Club, on Tuesday from 10am until 2pm.
"We had pregnant women, new mums, dads and even grandparents come along, so it was really good to have a range of voices," said Bree.
Hapu wananga co-ordinator Koha Aperehama said the team was really encouraged by the feedback: "We are just so grateful to everyone."
Anyone who could not attend the meeting is invited to email their feedback on maternity services to Sue Bree on: sue.bree@northlandhdhb.org.nz .
New twist on an old favourite
Thanks to many hours of research and organisation Dargaville's historic river walk has been given a new makeover and a new name.
People walking across the Kaihu bridge towards Mangawhare as part of the Amber Threads Tales and Trails walkway opening. Photo/ Sue Taylor
Now called the Amber Threads Tales and Trails walkway, it was opened last weekend by Kaipara Mayor Jason Smith.
"It was a fantastic event to open. To see the work Betty Biddles had done to showcase this historic Northern Wairoa River town in Dargaville and to open it, on what would've been her 100th birthday, made it special indeed.
"As a project, the Amber Threads walkways is a great way to acknowledge the history of the town, and is a great activity for visitors and locals alike."
About 50 people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony next to the gum digger's statue on Hokianga Road.
Sue Taylor, manager of the Visitor Information Centre Dargaville and the Kauri Coast, said the upgrading of the walkway included information boards located at various historic sites along the walkway.
"It's great to see the results of lots of work by some very passionate people helping to keep the history of Mangawhare and Dargaville alive."
The info centre as well as other various stores in town has a supply of the brochures detailing the trail and where the information boards are located.
The trail allows people to follow a walk through Mangawhare to Pou Tu Te Rangi Harding Park and takes 1.5 to 2 hours. It is considered easy to moderate terrain.
The walk was originally opened in 2000 as a millennium project spearheaded by locals Betty Biddles, Betsy Johnston and Nan Beardsall with research by Brian Eastwood and art work by Marama Ingle.
The current walk is understood to be the culmination of two years' research by a team of Dargaville-based volunteer heritage enthusiasts including Nick Puharich, Raewyn Sills, Brenda Lupton, Bronwyn Bernard, Dot Gorry, Anthea Hamlet and Sue Curtis.
