Te Piki Oranga will realise a long-held intention to bring services together when we move to our new health hub at the former ‘Otumarama’ site in Stoke by November.
After 10 years of providing primary healthcare services from three different leased locations in Whakatū / Nelson and Waimea / Richmond, we are now planning the delivery of services from one place at 199 Nayland Rd.
Renovations and site improvement at the former rest home and geriatric hospital began on Friday 2 May with a ‘mahi tahi’ (working together) gardening day for kaimahi (employees).
Te Piki Oranga Tumuaki (General Manager) Anne Hobby describes the day as an opportunity to build kotahitanga (togetherness) among kaimahi who will relocate to the new health hub.
The day started with a mihi, karakia and waiata and a tour through the building.
“The positive wairua, the atmosphere and feeling of being there, was really great because it’s something that we’ve wanted for so long, and because kaimahi could see the potential.
“This will be a place where we continue to serve our community and grow according to the needs of whānau and changing demographics.
“We are refurbishing the site to become a health hub of clinical, non-clinical and kaupapa Māori services. It will be our new headquarters and a tūrangawaewae – a place to stand,” Anne says.
Te Piki Oranga is seeking funding to accelerate the renovations and site improvement work. The consolidation of kaimahi and services will enable cost-efficiencies, through reduced utilities bills, transport and venue hire for example.
A positive development for hauora Māori (Māori health)
Jane du Feu, Chairperson for Te Piki Oranga, says the new premises will enable Te Piki Oranga to achieve its long-term strategic plan.
“Te Piki Oranga has strategic goals to improve service accessibility, quality of facilities and being in a position to expand services to meet whānau need,” Jane says.
“Consolidating services at this new health hub in Stoke means we will be central and accessible to whānau in Whakatū Nelson’s largest suburb.
“Otumarama will realise a long-held intention for Te Piki Oranga – for Whakatū and Waimeha kaimahi and services to be together as we were during our first year in 2014 at Whakatū Marae before Te Piki Oranga outgrew this much-loved location,” Jane says.
A new era for maternity care and early years services
An example of how Te Piki Oranga innovates to meet the needs of a changing demographic is the expansion of services into Māori maternity care and early years services in late 2024, under Te Puāwai he Kākano programme.
Cathleen Walker, Pūkenga Kaiwhakahaere for Te Puāwai he Kākano, describes the strategic need for Māori maternity care and early years services:
“Māori populations across Aotearoa New Zealand are comparatively youthful, with a median age of about 27.
“This region is home to many young whānau, so supporting families during the first 2,000 days of a life for a new pēpi is very important.
“The ability of Te Piki Oranga kaimahi and services to support the best start in life was recognised with a new contract to provide maternity and childhood services,” Cathleen says.
Acknowledgements
Te Piki Oranga acknowledges its shareholders, marae and Board of Directors for approving the acquisition of the new premises, Nelson City Council for their guidance during the resource consent process, and Oceania Healthcare – the former owners of ‘Otumarama’.
Kaimahi working in the gardens to relocate plants and tidy up the grounds during a ‘mahi tahi’ (working together) day in May 2025.
