who we ARE

Photo: Stewart Nimmo

Takiwā Poutini is a three-year West Coast pilot programme to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for all, particularly focused on Māori, Pacific peoples and people who experience disability.

We knew we needed to change the way our people and communities are supported and treated.  Our ideal is a West Coast holistic model that places people at the centre.

System co-design has focused on iwi and community thoughts, ideas and recommendations about how to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

The Pilot is due to come to a close at the end of June 2025. Our work in 2025 is to finalise current projects and ensure our system transformation continues. We also plan to report back to those around Te Tai o Poutini that shared their “voice”.

Three ongoing major legacy projects are focused on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Oral Health and Te Waka Ngākau o Poutini (mobile outreach).

A list of projects and programmes achieved over the three years of Takiwā Poutini is available under our Community Voice page.

The resources we have developed and collated about our takiwā are freely available for you to access and share.

Our Vision:

Through partnership between Iwi, community, central and local government, the wellbeing of our communities on the West Coast is improved, and inequities are eliminated.

Who are the people involved?

Locality Partnership Group

The partners behind Takiwā Poutini represent Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae and Te Runanga o Makaawhio (Susan Wallace, Chair); Te Whatu Ora Health NZ Te Tai o Poutini (Philip Wheble); Te Whatu Ora Health NZ Te Mana Ora Te Tai o Poutini (Dr Cheryl Brunton); West Coast Primary Health Organisation (Helen Wilson); Regional Public Service Commissioner (Craig Churchill).

Team

  • Programme Manager: Vicki Roper
    With a background deeply rooted in quality, project, and business management, Vicki has dedicated over two decades to the health sector, prioritizing safety for health system users. Her extensive experience has fostered a broad network of contacts throughout Te Tai o Poutini. She enjoys the challenge of implementing innovative systems and processes that yield clear, positive outcomes for the West Coast population.

  • Admin & Design Support: Jay Worling
    A truly versatile professional, Jay Worling brings experience from diverse fields including graphic design, administration, coaching, wellbeing, and fitness. Her work with Takiwā Poutini showcases this adaptability, encompassing everything from document management to graphic design and data analysis. Jay enjoys embracing new challenges and driving continuous improvement.

  • Social Media & Website Admin: Toni Eaton
    Toni Eaton brings nearly two decades of administrative expertise to her role. Working remotely, she plays a crucial part in back-of-house operations, passionately promoting the valuable mahi (work) of Takiwā Poutini and its partners. Her efforts ensure our communities are always aware of available advice and support.

  • Communications/Media: Lee Harris
    With a strong background in local and central government and media/public relations, Lee has a long-standing history of impactful work. She's spent the last 10+ years deeply immersed on the West Coast, where her passion for the region and its communities truly shines.

Why is this needed?

To address inequities, we need to do things in a different way from the past. The health and wellbeing needs of people in our takiwā (locality) are not the same as those of the people in other parts of Aotearoa. We want to improve the health and wellbeing of our West Coast people, no matter who they are, or where they live on Te Tai o Poutini. Takiwā Poutini gives us all an opportunity to come up with our own solutions that are place-based.

How are we going about this?

Whānau are at the centre of everything we do and in this way, community is shaping its own health and wellbeing future. Their voices have identified key priorities for action to address health and wellbeing. Whanāu are engaged in co-designing community-led solutions to local issues.

These new ways of working together better meet the health and wellbeing needs of our communities. The support from our Locality Group partners representing a range of health and wellbeing services has been crucial to this mahi.

Our Tohu / Logo

Strength, mauri ora, wai ora and whānau are represented in the form of a wave that displays kotahitanga - unity within Te Tai o Poutini.

The wave is a large and powerful force symbolising the strength, resilience and connection between whānau and the environment alongside wellbeing and personal growth.

Colour gradient on the wave represents the colours of pounamu from each of the Rūnanga (Ngāti Waewae green moving through to teal / blue of Makaawhio Aotea).

The Niho (notches on the letter “I”) represents the two papatipu rūnanga.