About
We work within the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (Partnership, Protection and Participation) to ensure Māori are involved in development, planning, and delivery of health care while safeguarding Māori culture concepts, values and practices.
We work using holistic hauora approach and embrace the four cornerstones of health:
- Te taha tinana (physical wellbeing)
- Te taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing)
- Te taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing)
- Te taha whānau (family wellbeing)
Uruuruwhenua – The far lands to the west. This ingoa used to describe the far lands to the west when standing on the east coast looking to the west. Uru being west, Uruuru being even more west and whenua being land
Uruuruwhenua a not-for-profit hauora provider was established in 2006, due to the level of support needed for whānau Māori in Central Otago that wasnt being provided by already established organisations. Located in the house out the back of Dunstan Hospital, Uruuruwhenua worked out of here for some time. Since our establishment we’ve been in four locations, the back of the hospital, behind Repco, across the road from Night and Day and finally our current location 47 Centennial Ave, Alexandra. The push for having a Kaupapa Māori organisation in Central Otago was led by Whaea Francie Diver. Over the past few years Uruuruwhenua has seen significant growth internally and externally. Whaea Francie said that Uruuruwhenua Hauora has far exceeded her vision and hopes for the kaupapa.
What does Aroha look like in Uruuruwhenua Hauora?
We, as Kaimahi, support each other in a positive and caring environment.
We support our Whanau from a non-judgemental, all-inclusive perspective as much as possible.
Everything we do is from the heart and with love for Te Ao Māori.
What does Manaakitanga look like in Uruuruwhenua Hauora?
Everyone that visits our Whare, or that we mahi with, is treated with courtesy and respect.
All Whānau feel welcomed and safe.
All Whānau feel heard and understood.
Whānau are aware they are the Kaitiaki of their Mana
Whānau feel supported and encouraged to be the best they can be.
What does Whanaungatanga look like in Uruuruwhenua Hauora?
We, as Whānau mahi are united and stand as one. We combine our skills, knowledge, and strengths to provide the Korowai of support for our Whānau.
As many of our whānau are disconnected from their Whakapapa, Whenua, and Whānau, we provide a sense of Whanaunga/connection in all we do. This will support whānau to feel a sense of belonging, kinship, and safe within Te Ao Māori.
We strengthen our relationships with partnering agencies, to ensure others are also able to support our whānau to be the best they can be.
What does Kaitiakitanga look like in Uruuruwhenua Hauora?
We respect our Whenua and encourage others to do the same.
WE ARE KAITIAKI OF OUR WHENUA
We respect our Tinana and encourage others to do the same
WE ARE KAITIAKI OF OUR TINANA
We respect our Hinengaro and encourage others to do the same
WE ARE KAITIAKI OF OUR HINENGARO
We respect our Wairua and encourage others to do the same
WE ARE KAITIAKI OF OUR WAIRUA
We respect Whānau and encourage others to do the same.
WE ARE KAITIAKI OF WHĀNAU
Meet Our Team
Mel
Kaiwhakahaere/CEO (Ngāti Raukawa)
Nicole
Pou Tangata (Ngāi Tahu)
Tania
Kaiwhakahaere Putea/Finance Manager
Lana RN
Manukura Hauora
Frances
Kaiārahi ki Uruuruwhenua (Ngā Puhi, Kāi Tahu)
Alva
Whānau Ora Navigator (kaumātua)/Kōanga Kai (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tūhoe)
Robyne
Whānau Ora Navigator - Māniatoto
Kath
Kaiāwhina Whare & Vaccinating Health Worker
Denise
Whānau Ora Navigator
Karen
Kōanga Kai (Ngā Puhi)
Amy
Kaiāwhina Hauora (Ngāti Maniapoto)
Zain-Star
Kaiāwhina Hauora (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa)
Aaliyah
Whānua Ora Navigator - Tāhuna (Kaī Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha)
Malana
Whānua Ora Navigator - Tāhuna
Tere
Kaiāwhina Whare - Tāhuna (Kuki Arini)
Grant
Waka Ama Co-Ordinator/Coach
Henry
Waka Ama Coach
Civia
Whakapakari Tinana/Fitness Coach (Ngāti Porou)
Pauline RN
Community Outreach Co-Ordinator
Whaea Louise McKenzie
Chair Board of Trustees (Ngāti Whatua ki Kaipara, Ngāti Wai ki Mahurangi)
Elsie Lyon
Vice Chair Board of Trustees (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunga)
Whaea Francie Diver
Cultural Advisor Board of Trustees (Ngāi Tahu, Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe)
Ken Taylor
Treasurer Board of Trustees
Prof. Colin Mantell
Board Of Trustees (Ngāi Tahu)
Our Mission
Te Taumata
Uruuruwhenua Health Inc. will develop a Whānau Ora health provision model of excellence for Uruuruwhenua whānau in planning healthier futures.
Ngā Mātāpono
The range of principles guiding the Uruuruwhenua community in developing the Whānau Ora model are:
• Inclusion and Diversity:
Welcoming the diversity of people and their ideas in growing Whānau Ora
• Intergration and collaboration:
Central Otago community working purposefully together to achieve Whānau Ora
• Innovation and adaption:
Design and develop health programmes best suited to the needs of the Uruuruwhenua community.
Our Logo
The image is of a woman Kaiamio, surrounding her head is the area; a space of thought and mental health.
Her arms depict two birds opposing one another and represent the comings and goings of people in this area.
The arms signify the nurturing and supportive concepts of whānau. In the centre of her whare-tangata, there is a mountain, giving birth to life and good health.
