Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi

26/09/2025

🚨 Measles case confirmed – Bay of Islands, Northland 🚨

Te Whatu Ora has confirmed a new measles case in the Bay of Islands, likely linked to overseas travel. The person is no longer infectious, but six close contacts are being assessed.

⚠️ Why this matters:
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. It spreads through coughing, sneezing, talking, or even lingering in the air. Many people (about 1 in 3) who get measles become sick enough to need hospital care.

Those most at risk:
• Tamariki under 15 months who have not had their first MMR vaccine
• Anyone who has not had 2 doses of MMR
• Pēpi too young to be immunised
• Pregnant wāhine (cannot have MMR during pregnancy)
• People with weakened immune systems

Symptoms to watch for:
• Fever 🤒
• Cough, runny nose 🤧
• Red or watery eyes 👀
• Small white spots inside the mouth
• A blotchy rash starting on the face, spreading down the body

👉 Symptoms usually start 7–21 days after exposure. People are infectious 5 days before and after the rash appears.

✅ What you should do:
• Stay home if you’re unwell.
• Check your immunisation records – if you’re unsure or haven’t had 2 doses of MMR, get vaccinated.
• If you can’t make it to a public clinic, please reach out to your local Māori health provider or GP for support.

✅ Drop-in immunisation clinics are available tomorrow (Saturday 27 September) in Northland Te Tai Tokerau at:

• 16 Commerce Street, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand, 8.30 - 3.30pm
• Te Ara Tū o Ngāti Hine: Bay Of Islands Hospital, Kawakawa, 10am- 2pm
• Ngāti Hine Health Trust, 5 Walton Street, 10 am – 2 pm

📞 Who to contact for medical advice:
• Call your usual GP, doctor, Hauora or healthcare provider
• Call Healthline 0800 611 116 (free, 24/7)
• Call 111 in an emergency 🚑

📖 Read more from Health NZ here:
https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles

Let’s protect our tamariki, rangatahi, pakeke and kaumātua. 💜 Please share this pānui with your whānau and hapori.

Te Rūnanga-Ā-Iwi O Ngāpuhi x Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services

26/09/2025

Sporting Memories 💭🏉

This kaupapa, part of our Mate Wareware service, is all about helping older adults to (re)establish friendships & fellowships based on a mutual lifelong love of sport. A safe space to (re)engage with like-minded local community members through fun and familiar sport-inspired activities.

Combining nostalgic, cognitive-stimulating storytelling with therapeutic recreation.

Celebrating the past, removing any stigma or shame attached to aging, memory loss, or cognitive decline.

For more information: P: 0800 484 006 or E: matewareware@thoon.org.nz

25/09/2025

Meet Tom Harris, our Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) Co-ordinator!

We recently welcomed Tom to Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi, joining our team to support whānau impacted by the effects of organised crime and to contribute to hauora-focused initiatives across our communities.

Tom is a husband and father of three boys, with a passion for hunting, fishing, and all things mechanical – from cars to boats and motorcycles.

After moving back to Hokianga with his whānau, Tom sought an opportunity to serve and be of support to his iwi and hapū. Joining THOON allows him to work alongside whānau and the wider team, including NISS and external agencies, to foster growth, empowerment, and wellbeing.

In his role as ROCC Co-ordinator, Tom supports teams working with whānau facing challenges linked to organised crime, helping to strengthen resilience and improve hauora across our communities.

Nau mai, Tom! We’re thrilled to have you on board.

24/09/2025

Last weekend was World Alzheimer’s Day, a time to raise awareness and challenge the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

In Te Ao Māori, mate wareware is often viewed not as an illness or disease, but as part of a wairua journey, a natural stage of growing older and preparing to join our tūpuna. “You come into this world as a baby, you go back to that world as a baby.”

This perspective invites us to hold mate wareware with aroha and acceptance.

💜 Keep an eye on our page as we share some of the inspiring kaupapa our Mate Wareware team is leading.

24/09/2025

🌟 Ohonga Hauora | Awakening the wellbeing!

We're proud to support this Friday's Ohonga Hauora event! Join us for a day of wellness workshops, kai, performances, and community connection.

📅 WHEN: Friday 26th September, 10am-2pm
📍 WHERE: Kaikohe Memorial Hall

This is a great opportunity to connect with health providers, learn new wellbeing strategies, and enjoy a day out with whānau. Nau mai, haere mai!

22/09/2025

Guardians of Our Roads – Day 3 🚘

🚦 Guardians of Our Roads – Day 3 🚦

Kia ora e te whānau,
Day 3 of our Guardians of Our Roads Challenge is here!

Here’s what to do today:
1️⃣ Solve the riddle – have a guess before peeking at the comments!
2️⃣ Tell us why you think this riddle matters – what does it make you think about when you’re on the road?
3️⃣ Tag a friend – challenge them to join in and keep the kōrero going.

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🧠 Today’s Riddle:
I take the wheel when the night’s been long,
I keep the ride safe when the drinks are strong.
In the Far North, no matter the travel,
Mobil pies still make it home to unravel.
I don’t care for flashing lights or a checkpoint scene,
Because I just laugh — I took one for the team.
Who am I?

Hint: The unsung hero of the night — no blue lights, no fines, just everyone (and the pies) home in one piece.

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💬 Tell us your answer below and share your funniest or proudest sober driver story — because every good night out deserves a safe ride home. 🖤

18/09/2025

In te ao Māori, many kupu hauora are more than just words, they carry deeper meanings and connections.

For example, manawa doesn’t only mean “heart.” It also speaks to breath, life force, and our emotions. These layered meanings demonstrate how language reflects the holistic approach Māori take to wellbeing.

17/09/2025

Pūnaha kōiwi – Skeletal System

Our kōiwi (bones) give the body structure and protect our vital organs. Learn the names of key bones in te reo Māori – from the upoko (head) to the waewae (feet).

16/09/2025

📍 Heartlands Taheke Outreach

We’re bringing the mahi, manaaki, and the good vibes to our rural whānau! From health checks to legal support, banking to land matters, we’ve got a full crew rolling through.

If you or your whānau need anything, feel free to reach out. Always happy to connect and support.

Date: Friday 19th of September
Time to Shine: 10.00 AM – 2.00 PM
Location: 3272 State Highway 12, Taheke
Vibe: Services, support & community connection – all in one place!

If, for any reason, a service is unable to attend, Ara, our Heartlands Coordinator, will take your referral and arrange for the service to contact you to schedule a phone appointment.

Nau mai, haere mai. We’d love to see you there! Share with your whanau and friends!

15/09/2025

Kua tae mai Te Wiki o te Reo Māori! 🙌🏽 This year marks 50 years of celebrating and revitalising our beautiful language.

To mark the occasion, we’re sharing a few kupu hauora, health-related words, that you can use every day to keep te reo Māori alive and thriving.

He taonga tuku iho, he reo Māori, he reo ora!!

12/09/2025

September marks World Alzheimer's Month! Almost 83,000 people are living with dementia mate wareware in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2025.

This year, Alzheimer’s New Zealand is encouraging open conversations and challenging stigma under the theme “Ask about dementia.” By asking questions and learning more, we can break down barriers and better support our whānau.

For valuable information and resources, visit Alzheimer’s NZ: https://alzheimers.org.nz/about-dementia/what-is-dementia/

11/09/2025

‼️ Outreach Clinic in Pakotai for āpōpō has been postponed until the 26th of September ‼️

What’s on this week!
Another busy week ahead e te iwi, here are a few events happening across our community. Mark your calendars and come join us!

📍 Wednesday 10th Sep - Toi Awhimā | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Kaikohe
📍 Friday 12th Sep - Kapa Kōrero | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
📍 Friday 12th Sep – Mobile Breast Screening Unit | Kerikeri
📍 Friday 12th Sep - Outreach Clinic | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | Pakotai

We can’t wait to see you out and about this week ✨