Te Kotuku Hauora
Te Kotuku Hauora o Rangitikei is the health and social service delivery arm of Te Runanga o Ngati Apa. It has been operating since 1997. Ngati Apa is joined in the delivery of this service by other stakeholders from the Rangitikei and Nga Wairiki namely Ratana, Ngati Hauiti and Nga Hau e Wha (Marton Maori community). The delivery of these services is managed by a committee that is made up of these stakeholder interests.
Te Kotuku Hauora o Rangitikei operates within the iwi boundaries of Ngati Apa and Ngati Hauiti, thus including Ratana and Marton. Emphasis is placed upon the provision of holistic whanau ora services. To provide these services, Te Kotuku retains the assistance of two clinicians who are registered nurses to work with and manage four case workers. Te Kotuku Hauora also employs two social workers, one based in Marton and one based in Ratana. These positions also take a holistic whanau ora approach to their work by assisting individuals and their whanau to cope with many of the social difficulties associated with poverty, isolation and loss of identity.
The general thrust of whanau ora is health promotion and assisting our people live healthier lives and, when required, to access primary health services. Te Kotuku also employs a driver to transport people from their homes to the primary health service providers.