On 1 October Te Piki Oranga became the provider of the New Zealand Needle Exchange Programme in the Whakatū / Nelson region.
The day started with a karanga whare to bless the new tari on Collingwood St, very close to the site of the former tari, with the name ‘Te Whare Tautoko Whakawhiti o Te Tauihu’.
From the tari, our Needle Exchange Tautoko Team (NETT) provide people who inject drugs with easy, confidential and free access to the equipment they need to stay safe from harm.
We are part of Te Waipounamu Collective, alongside Ngā Kete Matauranga Pounamu, He Waka Tapu and Poutini Waiora, who collectively provide this service for whānau in the South Island.
Te Piki Oranga, with our partners, has prioritised making the transition a smooth process for service users, who should not notice too much of a difference.
Harm reduction is one of our main service goals. We recognise that drug use is a reality and that safety and health must come first. We work to:
Minimise the risk of infection
Prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C
Provide safer injecting equipment
Ensure access to support and education
NETT kaimahi and their Te Piki Oranga hoamahi at the blessing of Te Whare Tautoko Whakawhiti o Te Tauihu.
