Meet our new Pou Oranga
Takiri mai ra ko te ata i te tonga.
Ka whariki mai te manu kua ao kua awatea.
He ngākau aroha e kitea i roto inga to pito o te whare.
Ngā uri whaka tupu ki te maunga teitei.
E rupu mai ana e ngā hua papai He oranga mō te iwi māori.
(Nā te kuia nā Keupe Stafford Fairest)
Today we are delighted to announce the appointment of Ripeka Houkamau as Pou Oranga of Te Hauora o Ngāti Rārua Limited.
Ripeka is of Ngāti Porou descent and moved to the South Island with her whānau in 1995 to take up a role as a Māori Public Health Nurse.
Ripeka brings years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Educator, Clinician and Health & Social Services Manager. Since 2014 she has worked at executive level in health and social organisations across Te Tauihu, including Poumanawa Oranga, Maataa Waka Ki Te Tau Ihu Trust, Oranga Tamariki, and Te Piki Oranga.
Her specialist knowledge of Māori health providers and local networks has meant Ripeka has contributed to the creation and delivery of a wide range of clinical health services and initiatives across the rohe.
She has applied her skills internationally, working in Australia to establish indigenous health committees in remote communities to incorporate traditional models of health care into programme delivery.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua Pouwhakahaere Shane Graham said some whānau may recall Ripeka from an earlier role in Wairau.
“Some of us with longer memories remember Ripeka working at Te Hauora o Ngāti Rārua from late 1996 to early 2000,” he said.
“What a wonderful thing to have Ripeka here again to lead us forward. With her appointment we are well positioned at an exciting time for health delivery in Aotearoa.
“Health New Zealand and Te Mana Hauora Māori He Hinonga Taupua are making changes to ensure everyone has the same access to good health outcomes. That includes strengthening mana motuhake for whānau – supporting them to take control of their own health and wellbeing.
“Ripeka is the right person at the right time. As Pou Oranga her skills and experience will help us to achieve better outcomes for all whānau, in line with our never-ending strategic goal – Kia Pai Te Noho.”
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Te Hauora o Ngāti Rārua Limited (THoNR) was opened in the late 1990s to provide mobile primary health and social services for Māori by Māori. Today, we are a Māori Health Provider representing a network of services and contracts to Māori in the greater Marlborough region in direct response to the local needs of Māori.
Ngāti Rārua Iwi Trust is the sole shareholder of THoNR and operates under the korowai of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua (TRoNR). Kia Pai te Noho 2020-2040 sets out the strategic goals of TRoNR.
ABOUT THE POSITION: The Pou Oranga is responsible to the Board of Directors of Te Hauora o Ngāti Rārua Ltd and is responsible for all the employees of THoNR and the programmes and services they deliver.
