Te Piki Oranga kaimahi contribute to local and national responses such as:

1. When a state of emergency is declared (eg for a natural disaster such as a flood). States of emergency are announced by a local council, Civil Defence Emergency Management Group or central government.

2. A public health emergency or situation (eg when drinking water has been contaminated and is unsafe to drink). Public health emergencies are announced by public health officials such as the Director-General of Health and Medical Officers of Health (government employees).

3. When there are preventative health opportunities available to whānau that will increase their resilience. An example of this is our work in immunising whānau against contagious disease (eg measles) to increase immunity across hapori (community).

Our kaimahi, such as nurses, pūkenga manaaki (navigators) and mental health professionals are trained and ready to support in many ways, including:

• whānau wellbeing and welfare (a function during Civil Defence Emergency Management group activity)

• organising and co-ordinating health activities such as community immunisation clinics

• phoning whānau, especially our enrolled patients, to assess their welfare

• supporting with accessing government and community service support, through our Heartland Services hub in Waitohi / Picton for example

• connecting and referring whānau to supports such as community foodbanks

• providing services such as Whare Ora Healthy Homes

We recommend that you follow official advice and information from sources such as:

• Nelson Tasman Emergency Management (includes Motueka, Golden Bay and St Arnaud)

• Marlborough District Council Emergency Management

• information from these groups that is shared through mainstream media such as RadioNZ and Stuff.

These groups provide trustworthy information about evacuation, road closures, welfare centres and where to go for support.

When seeking advice about health and wellbeing, we recommend you follow official advice from:

• your Te Piki Oranga case worker or health professional

• your GP (doctor), practice nurse, midwife or social worker

• public health advice issued through mainstream media such as Radio NZ and Stuff.

If you and your whānau have been affected by a natural disaster (a flood for example), we recommend:

1. Making sure you are safe from further harm or damage. This might mean phoning 111 in a life-threatening situation, or following evacuation instructions from Civil Defence.

2. Contacting the Ministry of Social Development (MSD / Work and Income) to see if they can help with emergency costs such as food, bedding, clothing and sometimes temporary accommodation, even if you are not on a benefit.

   You can usually start by phoning MSD’s emergency phone line (0800 559 009) and saying you have been affected and need emergency assistance.

3. Seeing if you are eligible for Mayoral Relief Funds or a grant through your local council – Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council or Marlborough District Council.

4. Seeing what is available through organisations such as the Salvation Army, marae or iwi organisations such as Te Kotahi o te Tauihu Charitable Trust.

Te Piki Oranga might also be able to support you by connecting you to one of our services or services provided by other organisations.