It has been more than a year since Heartland Services opened its doors on Waitohi / Picton’s main street, providing access to Government and community services for rural whānau.
Heartlands – Ngā Ratonga ki te Manawa o te Whenua – became a place where people could get support kanohi ki te kanohi, face to face, in a world where many services have moved online.
We asked Brigid Eriksen, Kaituitui Pumanawa Whenua/Heartlands Coordinator, to tell us about her first year with Heartlands. Here is her kōrero:
The first year was tough, setting up a new tari, and going through an intense time of people getting to know us, and know what we do. Now we are in our second year and while more people know us (although people still ask), this year has been even more full on with a lot of networking/whakawhanaungatanga which has carried through to now.
I had support from Wairau kaimahi as I started out alone and they continue to awhi us here in Waitohi.
Heartland Services kaimahi Natasha and Brigid, on the Waitahi foreshore not far from the Heartlands hub on Main St.
What is a typical week like at Heartlands?
On the most recent Monday I had 21 people walk through the door. We are getting regulars who come for a chat or a coffee and who just need support some for their loneliness.
I started a regular ‘coffee and kōrero’ hui this year on Thursdays to support our local community, and ask our staff and locals who they would like to hear from as a speaker.
Our biggest thing at the moment would be our Community Hui which started as bi-monthly in December 2024 but which quickly needed to be made a monthly hui. We gather to talk about what is happening in Waitohi, share about our individual mahi and share pānui. It’s a great time of whakawhanaungatanga and kotahitanga.
How is the Waitohi community engaging with Heartlands?
The three classes of morning Tai Chi are going well and are well-attended. People are also loving the Holistic Pulsing sessions.
We still have transient people, those without homes, coming in to Heartlands and we help in whatever way we can. It might be a cuppa and biscuits, a kai parcel if we have any, help with WINZ or emergency accommodation. Sometimes I think they want someone to talk to.
People are still needing kai and we direct them to other supports if we don’t have anything to give, such as the Vinnies Op Shop or the Picton Foodbank.
Our work brokers, offering employment support, continue to be available weekly to people, as do Community Law kaimahi and our person from Connected.
People also come in for help wiht technology, with their phones and laptops or to get photocopies or something scanned.
A Coffee & Kōrero session underway at Heartland Services.
Where can I find out what is happening on Heartlands?
We are a dynamic, responsive service that changes regularly according to what people tell us they need most. We do have a regular schedule of drop-in sessions and support groups, such as Community Law, Inland Revenue and Whānau Ora navigators from Waikawa Marae.
We recommend following Te Piki Oranga on Facebook, and to keep an eye on our webpage: www.tpo.org.nz/heartland
