Rakau Ora Ltd Mental Health Support

25/03/2026

Morena whanau, Due to weather conditions and some of our staff being rained in we will be closed today and the evening shift. We honestly apologise for any inconvenience.

Keep your whanau close, find a good movie and chill in the safety of your whare today. Te Taio has officially ordered us all to take a break.

For our whanau sleeping rough in the community please phone me direct on 02108169146 if you need urgent support and we will do our best to cover you for the next 24 hours.

Please note if you leave a message on our land line 09-4084999 we will address them first thing Friday morning. Otherwise if you have an emergency please dial 111 for assistance.

Nga mihi
Ness

15/02/2026

Kia ora whanau,

Great news! The after hours hub is re-opening tonight at our new premises. We have 2 fantastic Tane who will be on shift this week: lived experienced and really cool dudes.

Same kaupapa just drop in, chill and let the rest flow.

RAKAU ORA AFTER HOURS DROP IN
34 COMMERCE STREET
KAITAIA
(NEXT TO THE SALVATION ARMY AND KEBAB PLACE)
HOURS: 5PM TO 9 PM.

Nga mihi
Ness

08/02/2026

Kia ora whanau,
Post Waitangi Weekend I hope you are well and recovered. We have been busy moving our drop in space and are excited to share this with you.

The drop in is now located at 34 Commerce Street, next to Salvation Army and the Kebab Place. This space is open from 9- 2pm and starting the 16 February our after hours space is re-opening from 5-9pm.

This space is a place where you can come and chill with like minded whanau and lived experience kaimahi. We specialise in mental wellness and all things addiction. If we can't help we can get you connected. No referral needed.

Our clinical office will still be in Hofstede Arcade, 90 Commerce Street to offer counselling therapies and harm reduction support.

Four years in Kaitaia and 2026 is already bringing Exciting!

Phone 09-4084999 website: www.rakauora.org

27/01/2026

Mauri ora

A new kaupapa Māori space opens its doors, supporting healing, connection, and care.

Pai Ana Pānui linked in the comments.

04/01/2026

Kia ora whanau!
Today I am back in the office after a bit of a break. I couldn't wait to get back actually Im such a geek for the mahi we do.

First big kaupapa this year is we are moving our Drop in space to the Main Street in Kaitaia. Its just around the corner from where we are now so not too much of a hassle. Since we opened our doors in 2022 it was quickly apparent that we needed a bigger space and now we are. Naturally there will be some disruption during the end of January but nothing we can't handle. Hopefully it doesn't interrupt your journey with us too much. I am so excited nervous for this move both personally and professionally. I never thought that an idea many moons ago along with some hefty mahi could lead us to this!

I look forward to sharing with you all the new and exciting ventures planned for this year as they approach. To our regulars 'HEEYYY' and to our community feel welcome to come and have a noisy.

Here's to dreaming big in 2026!

Nga mini nui
Ness

10/12/2025

Kia ora,
This year has flown by! I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a wonderful and relaxing Summer Break.

Thank you so much for your incredible support of Rakau Ora throughout 2025. We’re excited to share some amazing new initiatives with you in 2026!

We also understand that this time of year can be challenging for some. I hope our flyer offers a little support and reassurance.

Our doors and/or phone lines will remain open during this period, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, except on statutory holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day).

Much love always and stay safe
Ness, Whanau and the team xx

03/12/2025

Kia ora whanau,
Its been an amazing few days celebrating and acknowledging World AIDS day in Wellington. As you may or may not know as part of our Harm Reduction Clinic we offer STI/HIV testing. It is only fitting then that we join with others on this same kaupapa.

Sadly the numbers for STI and Syphillis are on the increase, while HIV remains steady with 94 positive tests last year in Aotearoa. These are infections that with the right support, medication and prevention measures we can eradicate if not personally -community wide. This is our why - to support our whanau from infection.

On world AIDS day we acknowledge all those who lost their lives and celebrate others who are living a beautiful and healthy lives with HIV. The disease of HIV/STI is stigma. It is stigma that is holding many of us back from testing, treatment and from having open conversations regarding our sexual health.

At Rakau Ora we encourage you to join us in addressing stigma and changing the conversation from shame to empowerment. Sexual Health is just Health. Lets normalise testing just like our blood pressure or Blood glucose.

Our next testing is Monday 8th December 0930 at the drop in hub.

Much Love
Ness and Team

08/10/2025

Kia ora whanau!!

Loving these warmer days here in the real far north can't wait to get out and about more. Speaking of that's exactly what we at Rakau Ora have been up to. From Pukenui to around Kaitaia we have enjoyed sharing the mahi we do and serving our community.

Our STI/HIV testing has been so good and to all that have been supporting us to help get these numbers down in the community TENA KOE!!! it really is a community effort and we see you.

Today Nisah and Waiana were continuing their amazing mahi providing outreach community testing. I am so proud of these two and the great passion they have for our lived experience whanau and community.

You are always welcome to visit Waiana in the drop in space to chill and be around like minded whanau. Waiana has the freezer full of quick meals and bread to hold you over til you need. Come and help yourselves and have a coffee while your at it. She can also help you with case management and making moves to supporting you with referrals to our other amazing services in Kaitaia.

Nisah is also available to support you in our Harm Reduction Clinic. This is an area that Nisah shows great passion in and she is trained to provide services such as our HIV/STI and Hep C testing, Needle Exchange Program Needs and our Laser Tattoo Removal.

Phone the office on 09-4084999

Love you love us!

Ness x

18/09/2025

Kia ora e te Whānau,
Our awesome volunteer staff are taking the school holidays off to put their mama hat on and feet up! (if that is even possible). Taking a minute to celebrate our awesome team for giving their time, energy and aroha to support our community.

The Drop in is therefore shut on Monday 22 September and will reopen on Monday 06 October.

Please note Our clinic space and phone line will remain open 9-2pm during the holidays.

Nga mini
Ness

25/08/2025

Kia ora
Thought I would share this article as it shares our 'why' around our recent sti/hiv community testing clinic.

These numbers are becoming alarming whanau come down and get tested in strict confidence.

Nga mihi
Ness

Women who don’t know they have the infection have passed it to their unborn babies.

19/08/2025

Kia ora whanau!

Been a bit slow on the old social media but definitely not slow on the mahi. We are really excited to share with you all a new kaupapa under the umbrella of our Harm reduction Clinic.

On Monday the 25 August we will be hitting the floor running with our STI/HIV community testing kaupapa. We have just returned from Conference around Sexual Health and honestly the statistics in this space blew my mind!

It is so important that we get ourselves checked especially in this day and age. The long term affects are many if we don't. We will also be offering treatment if you are in need via a script to Browns Pharmacy.

If your results yield a more complex nature we have our Sexual Health Dr Judy on board and will support you through this process. Either way you will not be alone and we will humbly walk along side you.

We are happy to offer a small koha for your participation and your support of getting these numbers down in our community. It takes a village whanau!

Remember as with everything your business is confidential and won't go past our 4 walls.

Look forward to meeting you all in this space.

Keep cool. Ness xx

06/08/2025

Kia ora whanau,
Exciting times at Rakau Ora. I am proud to represent not only Rakau Ora but also Kaitaia and the far north in conference at Auckland University. This conference is based around harm reduction and focus's on HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections STI.

This is a subject surrounded with stigma and judgement, something we want to break down the barriers for. Unfortunately the numbers for STI are increasing here in the far north and we want to do our bit to support whanau in this journey.

On returning from Conference, 22 August 2025, we will be opening our community sti/hiv testing initiative offering free testing, education, treatment and case management support at our Office in Kaitaia. Like everything we do confidentiality and respect is paramount. For your efforts we would like to offer a small koha.

For any enquires please contact Nisah or Vanessa on 09-4084999.

Kaue whakama e te whanau - we got you!

Nga mihi
Ness