Maori Like Minds prepare for hui

Maori Like Minds prepare for hui


Whakatane’s Te Ngakau Totika, a mental health provider, will host a national hui from June 27 to 29 for Maori providers of the Like Minds, Like Mine programme.

Like Minds, Like Mine is a Government initiative to eliminate stigma and discrimination against mental illness.

The conference, known as Noho Wananga (our place of learning) will be held at Te Whare o Toroa Marae in Whakatane. It embraces the theme Rangatahi-Youth; Kimihia te huarahi oranga mo te iwi (Seeking the pathway of wellness for all people).

Each year Rangiatea, a taonga of Like Minds, Like Mind Maori leadership group Te Roopu Arahi, is given to the organisation hosting the hui. Te Ngakau Totika received Rangiatea at the national Like Minds, Like Mine seminar for all providers in April.

Rangiatea, a carved waka containing albatross feathers significant to the families involved in the carving, and one of the carvers who has passed away, are acknowledged at the start of the Noho Wananga.

In addition the history of Te Whare o Toroa Marae will be presented.

All seven Maori Like Minds, Like Mine providers, which are listed on www.likeminds.org.nz, will have an opportunity to give a presentation during the conference. The aim is to share information about initiatives used to give other organisations ideas. Some of the presentation topics are a makeover project, a personal recovery story, concepts of whanau ora, the Takarangi Competency Framework, whanau ora and goal setting from the perspective of a person with mental illness, and Maori rongoa (traditional medicine).

The newest Maori Like Minds, Like Mine provider, Ringa Atawhai Trust, from Okaihau, just outside Kaikohe in Northland, will be present at Noho Wananga for the first time.

Entertainment at the conference will include a skit by Te Ngakau Totika presented by all Like Minds, Like Mine Maori providers titled “Discrimination Coming on Down the Nation” and a Snakes and Ladders interactive visual game to heighten awareness of consumer perspective – ladders reward positive actions and attitudes, snakes highlight negative actions and attitudes.


…ends

© Scoop Media