Well Child Tamariki Ora Services
Supporting pēpi, tamariki and & whānau to thrive together
The Well Child Tamariki Ora Service is here to support the whānau of pēpi and young tamariki. Our specialist Tamariki Ora nurses can help you through the early days and years of raising your tamariki. We offer:
regular support and contact with your Tamariki Ora nurse
whānau care and support with a health and wellbeing plan
childhood immunisation
breastfeeding support
creating a smokefree environment
advice on safe sleeping
B4 School Checks
information and advice on food and nutrition, sleep, exercise, and wellbeing for whānau
support from a Pūkenga manaaki/navigator who work with whānau alongside our Tamariki Ora nurses.
Where you can find us
We have Te Piki Oranga services based in Wairau (Blenheim), Whakatū (Nelson) and Motueka, and can arrange appointments where best suits you.
Why choose Te Piki Oranga’s Tamariki Ora service?
We provide professional, accessible kaupapa Māori wellness services that align to the concepts of whānau ora and tino rangatiratanga. Our kaimahi (staff) have a wealth of skills, experience and tikanga Māori.
Our services are free and mobile – we can come to you if you need. Most importantly – we are with you on your health journey. It doesn’t just stop when your tamariki turns five.
What is a B4 School Check?
Tamariki are eligible for their B4 School Check when they turn four. Our nurses assess their developmental milestones and general health including speech, hearing, eyesight, oral health (dental) and immunisations. The nurse will also connect with your preschool, kindergarten or kōhanga reo. A B4 School Check is a great way for you and your tamariki to prepare for school and to get help with anything they might need.
Specialist breastfeeding support
Our nurses are trained to help you start breastfeeding and keep it going. There is often confusing information around, so talking to one of our nurses will help you get the best advice available. Having a kōrerō about breastfeeding before pēpi arrives can help you prepare.
New māmā often struggle with milk supply, soreness, getting pēpi in the right position and the different kinds of feeding your pēpi needs – whether it’s for comfort or hunger. Knowing whether your pēpi is getting enough food is hard in the early days so we can reassure you about that. Wind, colic and reflux are other challenges that we can help you with. We will also see how you are feeling, advise about what to eat and drink for good milk supply and check that you and your pēpi are getting enough sleep.
And if breastfeeding just doesn’t work for you, we look at the alternatives together to find a way to keep your pēpi healthy and growing.
How to enrol with Tamariki Ora
You can be referred to this service by your lead maternity carer, midwife or GP (family doctor) any time after pēpi is born.
We also welcome self-referrals using this online form or by calling 0800 ORANGA (672642).
A whānau story
Sarai Tuhua lives in Whakatū, Nelson – a long way from her family in Rotorua. When her fourth child Māreikura was born she sought out kaupapa Māori support through the Tamariki Ora service.
This was the start of her relationship with specialist nurse and lactation consultant Debbie Kotua, who became Sarai’s clinician when Māreikura was a few weeks old.
“I wanted to have a kaupapa Māori health service looking after me and my newborn this time round,” says Sarai.
Sarai and Māreikura
