In May 2023, a new community-based drug and alcohol services run by Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust (Ngā Kete) was launched.
About the service
The service, called Hiwa-i-te-rangi is provided from within a Te Ao Māori framework and offers counselling and support to individuals (15-35 years) and whānau experiencing moderate to severe methamphetamine and other substance addiction issues.
The new service provides culturally appropriate services closer to home, to help address the significant inequities where there is a higher rate of methamphetamine addiction identified that are negatively affecting the Māori community in the Southland region.
A hub of services that whānau can transition into
In addition to counselling, Hiwa-i-te-rangi offers a range of cultural resilient building activities, advocacy support, working collaboratively with police on education and restorative approaches. These include:
- One-on-one counselling
- Assessment, planning, interventions, harm minimisation
- On-referral to other agencies
- Access to peer support groups (including Aronui Art Therapy, Te Rongo Pai, Te Kore and Te Kore Puna Rua)
- Cultural resilience building activities (including Marae-based interventions, maara kai, kai ngahere, hikoi, hauora tinana, waka toi and waka ama)
- Education support for clients and impacted whānau
- Advocacy support
- Drop-in day programme
Hiwa-i-te-rangi endorses a therapeutic approach that engages the individual in experiential learning activities designed to build connection and resilience.
Model of care
The model of care for the new service was developed in collaboration with Te Aka Whai Ora and the police. Ngā Kete work with the police and provide a clear, simple practice – single point of entry into the service ensuring police are notified of acceptance of clients referred into the service.
Referral
To refer email admin@kaitahu.maori.nz or contact 0800 925 242
Referrals can be made by Police, community health providers, social service agencies etc.
