Late last week, Explore Hāpainga Ora hit an exciting milestone: the opening of their first Residential Service in Taranaki, ‘Te Whare Aio’. This new facility is designed to be a long-term community-based housing and recovery support service, enabling whaiora (those seeking wellbeing) to live well and transition into the community.
The Explore Wellbeing team worked with Te Whatu Ora to codesign this new service, collaborating on a variety of crucial facets including:
- Selection and set up of the whare
- Recruitment, induction and training of the Recovery Facilitators
- Establishment of clinical pathways and whare etiquette
- Ensuring the undertaking of appropriate cultural and stakeholder engagement
- The blessing of the whare
- And the smooth transition of whaiora to their new home
The name ‘Te Whare Aio’ came from Tamati Neho, Te Whatu Ora Taranaki’s Equity and Whanau Engagement Service Manager, taking inspiration from the karakia Tēnei Au and the celestial journey of Tāne-nui-a-Rangi, the atua who ascended to Te Toi-o-ngā-Rangi (the highest heaven) to retrieve the three baskets of knowledge for mankind.
In naming the whare ‘Te Whare Aio’ Tamati paid homage to Tāne-nui-a-Rangi and his journey, acknowledging the moments of vulnerability and the strength found in seeking support. Tāne’s quest symbolises the eternal pursuit of enlightenment and the intrinsic connection between humanity and the natural world. The Explore team is hopeful that this collaboration with Te Whatu Ora will lead to new opportunities in Taranaki, and empower tāngata whaiora with the supports, services, and community to excel and live well.
