Pipiwharauroa TAMARIKI ORA TEAM WELCOMES NEW STAFF

AROUND 700 pēpi are born in Gisborne every year with around half registered with the Tamariki Ora service run by Tūranga Health. Six nurses, four kaiāwhina, and two E Tipu e Rea staff provide the nationally-available Well Child Tamariki Ora programme of health visits for children from 6 weeks up to 5 years. They also provide ante-natal wananga and other support for māmā and their pēpi. This year the team has been bolstered by the arrival of two new kaimahi: kaiāwhina Louisa-May Robinson, and administrator Alisha Kemp.

INTRODUCING KAIĀWHINA LOUISA-MAY ROBINSON

LOUISA-MAY Robinson went from client to staff member after existing Turanga Health staff encouraged her to apply for a recently advertised kaiāwhina role.

Louisa-May, Ngati Porou, was receiving support from the Turanga Health emergency housing team when kaiāwhina Naleya Ahu identifed her quiet abilities. “She had a lot of potential for a young person, took on a lot of ownership and responsibility for her whānau and the way forward.” Naleya was particularly drawn to Louisa-May’s aptitude for problem solving and communicating. “She’s approachable, honest with people, and always upbeat with a smile.”

Louisa-May was taken aback by the suggestion. Too much self-doubt she reckons. “But I did it anyway, and I love it so much now.”

Previously, Louisa-May, 25, has been raising her nearly-three-year-old daughter alongside taking on some work in kōhanga reo. Now she has thrown herself into kaiāwhina on-the-job training and qualifications by shadowing nurses and kaiāwhina, and working alongside hapū wahine.

This month she’s studying to become a vaccinator so she can administer influenza, Covid and booster vaccinations, as well as some childhood and hapū māmā immunisations. There’s theory and practical modules to advance through. On the day she was interviewed Louisa-May had vaccinated a fellow staff member with this year’s influenza vaccination. “I love that Turanga Health upskills all its kaimahi. You never get bored here.”

Louisa-May began with Turanga Health just days before Cyclone Gabrielle hit the district. She joined forces with other Turanga Health kaimahi cooking meals for whānau flooded out of their homes and emergency response staff working on the frontline. “I enjoyed it, it was cool to know we were doing something that was helping.”

Louisa-May feels like she’s “home” now she’s working at Turanga Health. The organisation prioritises kaimahi physical and mental health, ensuring staff can manage family life around their work commitments, and access fitness and team building opportunities.

It’s a good fit for Louisa-May, who values personal health to best support the growth and development of her own moko. And it’s another attribute Naleya noticed when they first met. “You have to start with selfcare in order to be able to help others, and Lou is all about that.”

Louisa-May is grateful for the opportunities on offer and hungry to learn more. “I’m so glad I came out of my comfort zone and applied for this job.”

Meet Administrator Alisha Kemp

Ko Mātiti te maunga

Ko Maraetaha te awa

Ko Ngāi Tāmanuhiri te iwi

Ko Horouta te waka

Ko Muriwai ahau

FORMER Ministry of Social Development employee Alisha Kemp brings experience helping people in need to her new role with the māmā and pēpi team at Turanga Health.

Alisha says working in a role where you assist whānau facing complex and challenging circumstances helped her understand the importance of listening to the whānau voice. “It helps break down barriers and meet whānau needs - similar to what we do here at Turanga Health.”

At Turanga Health, Alisha, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, works with E Tipu e Rea, a holistic program that helps look after māmā who are facing challenges while they are pregnant, or when they have a new-born or young child.

E Tipu e Rea referrals from around the rohe are managed through the Turanga Health team. Once approved, staff from Turanga Health, Ngāti Porou Hauora, and Te Whare Hauora o Te Aitanga a Hauiti work with these families.

Alisha says it's rewarding to be working with whānau for whānau at an innovative, forward- thinking, mobile organisation. Last weekend, nurses and kaiāwhina hosted a Turanga Health Whānau Day for vaccinations on the grounds of a school. “Turanga Health is so far ahead in culture and what they do for whānau. They go to the people and never see any barriers.” Alisha worked in Government services for 15 years, most recently with Work and Income NZ. Before that, she was with Study Link helping students with their finances.

After she saw the Turanga Health administration vacancy advertised Alisha had to ask her māmā Louise Kemp for her blessing to apply. Louise has worked for the iwi health provider for over 20 years.

“I have seen my mum start each day so passionate about her mahi and now I can see why.”

Outside of work, Alisha is a proud māmā to daughter Jayda Riarn and son Eli-Brooks. She enjoys spending time with whānau and friends, keeping fit, and giving things a go including the social and sporting opportunities Turanga Health creates for its staff.