Rakau Ora Ltd Mental Health Support

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

09/07/2025

Kia Ora whanau. Rakau ora will be closed tomorrow Thursday 10th and Friday 11th as we all take a break to bond with our babies and 'fill our cups'. See you all Monday 14th July. Nga mihi Ness

07/07/2025

Next dates for the Lets talk campaign whanau. We are changing things up a bit this month and rather than have on going sessions through the month, we will have the same session each fortnight for the month. That way if you missed out on the first you can catch up on the next session. See below for details. Nga mihi

05/06/2025

Kia ora whanau,

Hope you are all well and living your best lives. We are keeping on keeping on and here is a little update on our mahi:

Counselling - thank so much for trusting me with your purakau, again I am so humbled to meet each of you and share in this space. You are so brave and I learn from you all every day! I am excited to let you know that we are onboarding another counsellor to join our team due to high demand. I will let her introduce herself closer to the time. She is nearly as cool as me lol.

Tattoo Removal - The laser clinic is open for treatments on Friday however I will generally work around you. An amazing process that I am able to witness with our whanau to remove the ink they no longer want. We all change and this is a reminder sometimes of how far we have come in our journey. Remember we are WINZ registered so can help you get your quote into your case manager.

Drop in Hub - We have such a dedicated team in this space and it has also become a great space for whanau who are studying to come and do their work experience. The drop in is just as it suggests - drop in to chill, have a chat, watch a movie and if you need any supports we got you. Taniana and Waiana are the case management queens and can help you identify where you want to go and navigate how to do it. Sometimes you just need another set of eyes to get back on track. We also have a clinician on site if your needs are more complex. Due to demand the hub is now open 9-2pm Monday to Friday. Nga mihi

Drop in Groups - Nisah is our co-ordinator of groups in the space. She has just completed the Anxiety month and it was a hit. This month coming we are touching on the subject of Depression. We will put the start date up shortly. Nishah is a great kaimahi within our space and if you would like to catch up with her around tools education and anything mental wellness wise she is in the hub Mondays and Wednesdays.

Harm Reduction Clinic - Our kaimahi are just completing their Hep c Training and we are able to provide testing days to our community. The last one we had was such a hit we ran out of testing equipment! Way to take control of your health Kaitaia.

Needle Exchange is still available week days and mobile through booking. I am so please that those who have attended feel 'less judged'. That is the aim my whanau - we take you as you are at Rakau Ora x

We will be starting our STI/HIV testing from the space next month and again this is about us taking control of our Tinana and nurturing her to keep up with our busy lives. I will put a panui out when this opens uo. Again this clinic is confidential and we are the last people to judge.

Today I give thanks to our selfless team of lived experience kaimahi for giving their time to help you help your whanau and our community

Nga mihi
Ness

# this karakia embodies all we do and we send to you x

23/04/2025

Kia ora,
Announcement that our Lets Talk about... Campaign starts next Wednesday 30th April.

The flyer says it all so if you have any questions reach out to 094084999.

Nga mihi
Ness