Who was 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.

What was the purpose? 
Our goal was to address health inequity in our takiwā (region). We knew that people in our local area had different health and wellbeing needs compared to those in other parts of Aotearoa. We aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of all West Coast communities, especially our most vulnerable people. We needed an approach that was locally based, locally driven.   

How did we go about this? 
Communities and Whānau (families) were at the heart of everything we did.  Their feedback helped identify their priorities and the most important health and wellbeing areas to focus on. The support from our Locality Group partners, who represented various health and wellbeing services, was essential and enabled a more collaborative and connected way of working that proved better at meeting our communities' needs.