We wanted our whaiora to feel a sense of embracement with wairua (spiritual), whanaungatanga (connection), manaaki (caring support), Tuumanako (hope) as soon as they entered our building.

We provide a rural community MHAS targeting whaanau from all different walks of life, mostly in their hardest times, moderate to severe mental illness & addiction concerns.
We commissioned our local Māori Artist Cherry Peeti-Tapurau to capture our vision throughout her art. With this Cherry has used a fabric and paint medium to capture the wairua. The whakataukii greets you when you walk through the front door, this talks about having the strength of maunga Ruahine and awa Manawatu, it is a reminder that we are all the pounamu of our tupuna Te Tapere nui oo Whaatonga who arrived here from Hawaiki hundreds of years ago. He climbed the maunga, looked upon the enormousness and amazingness of the century year old ngahere with awe and named it, Te Tapere Nui o Whaatonga (The great domain of Whaatonga). The Whakatauki was written by Cherry Peeti-Tapurau & Arapera Paewai. Continuing into the space you are greeted by art works representing Hinengaro, Tinana & Wairua. There is a large art piece of Ruahine giving a visual insight of the beauty within her. You are also greeted with the sound of wai (water) gently kissing our most healing taonga a pounamu kohatu designed as a touch stone to help the process of healing for our people. The Cluster of artworks is a reminder to our whaiora that their ancestors will always be there, you are never alone.

We encourage learnings from Tangata Whenua, interweave Indigenous culture into healthcare practice. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Interweave, Stop, look, listen & feel!