Nau mai, welcome to our fifth pānui, where we will update you on the progress of the Te Kete Rongomau project.
MAPS launch at Te Whatu Ora Waikato!
MORE BIG NEWS! Implementation of MAPS at Te Whatu Ora Waikato is NOW LIVE!
This means people can start filling in their MAPS at BOTH SITES: Te Whatu Ora Lakes (Rotorua) and Waikato (Hamilton). They can choose to take part in the Te Kete Rongomau research and tell us what the experience of creating their MAPS was like. Later, if / when services use their MAPS, they can choose to take part in the research again and tell us about whether their will and preferences, as laid out in their MAPS, were followed as intended. Clinicians / kaimahi and staff at Lakes and Waikato will also have an opportunity to tell us how it went from their perspective.
In our last pānui, we featured some of the Lakes team based at Te Whatu Ora Lakes: Maryanne Richardson, Connie Jefferson and Wi Te Tau Kahutapere Huata. This time, we feature Debbie Goodwin, our Project Manager based at Te Whatu Ora Waikato in Hamilton, Areta Ranginui Charlton, who is supporting the Waikato team, and our new Research Assistant Cindy Shepherd, who is supporting both project teams.
Please feel free to share our website with people you think may be interested. We have a ‘follow us’ section at the end of this pānui, where you can sign up to receive updates, news, and invitations to our events. And, of course, the links to the MAPS resources at Waikato are now live and available for use.
Connect to the Waikato MAPS page here: https://www.teketerongomau.com/waikatomaps
Connect to the Lakes MAPS page here: https://www.teketerongomau.com/lakesmaps
Launch of MAPS at Te Whatu Ora Waikato
On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Te Kete Rongomau research project team and mental health staff celebrated and launched a range of resources to enable tangata whaiora/service users to complete their own ‘My Advance Preference Statement’ (MAPS) and have this uploaded into their clinical record. The Waikato MAPS connects people to our place here in the Waikato through te awa o Waikato as a metaphor for the ups and downs of our life journeys.
Sarah Gordon and Suzette Poole cut the cake, marking the beginning of a journey towards tangata whaiora having another way to express what is important to them and their well-being.
Sarah spoke about how MAPS makes a difference in her life.
Firstly I know what works for me and I use that information to inform what my will and preferences are in any circumstances. Secondly, my family is able to advocate for me based on their being very clear about my will and preferences. Finally, I have this thing called a Mental Health Advanced Preference Statement. In fact, I don’t only have one, I have many copies one for each handbag! This is a written document that sets out my will and preferences. Sometimes, it is used when I am unable, and my family are unavailable to communicate my will and preferences. It can also be used at another time, perhaps when I feel overwhelmed or disempowered. It should never be used to usurp a kanohi te kanohi approach, but MAPS can be most useful in augmenting the strength of my voice.
A combination of online attendees and people who attended in person enabled us to celebrate together given we have local and national members: ngā kairangahau- researchers; Dr Sarah Gordon & Dr Armon Tamatea (University of Waikato), Dr Katey Thom (Auckland University of Technology), Mr Johnnie Potiki (Te Whatu Ora Southern), Cindy Shepherd (Research Assistant) and Rachel Tester (Project Manager). Katey was unable to attend. Members of the Waikato project team also attended: Wheeti Maipi (whānau advisor), Suzette Poole (Nurse Director), Areann Libline (Clinical Nurse Specialist), and Waikato project leads- Dr Debbie Goodwin and Areta Ranginui Charlton. Dave Snell (Lived Experience Community Development Advisor) and Dr Rees Tapsell (Director of Clinical Services and DAMHS) were unable to attend.
Kōrero with Debbie Goodwin
Can you tell us about your background and where you grew up? Where do you whakapapa to?
He uri tēnei nō Ngai Tūhoe, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Pākehā hoki. I tipu ake ahau i raro i te korowai o Hinepūkohurangi, kei Tāneatua taku kāinga tipu.
Ki te taha o tōku pāpā, ko Taiārahia te maunga, Ko Ōhinemataroa te awa. Ko Te Māhurehure te hapū, Ko Te Rewarewa te marae.
I grew up in Tāneatua, a child of the mist, and whakapapa to Tūhoe, Te Whakatōhea iwi on my father’s side and to third generation Pākehā nō Ingarangi on my mother’s side.
Where do you live now, and what do you love about your region?
E noho ana ahau i te maunga tapu o te Kingitanga, ko Taupiri tērā. I reira tirohia ki te awa tūpuna a Waikato e kī ana te kōrero:
“Waikato Taniwharau, he piko, he taniwha, he piko he taniwha!” Te wāhi e manaakitia mai i tēnei uri o Mataatua.
I have lived, worked and brought my family up in the rohe of Tainui iwi for over 35 years now, in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton. I have worked in youth work, Kaupapa Māori youth health services, and I now work as an independent evaluator/facilitator.
I love working in the Waikato region and love its strong iwi roots. It is definitely a second home for me. There are so many beautiful places and spaces in the taiao that we love going to, including Whaingāroa, te awa o Waikato and close by, ngā maunga Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe me Tongariro.
What were some influential experiences or people in your early life that shaped who you are today?
Apart from my parents who significantly shaped my love for people, the creator and life, as a young child I loved watching the gymnast Nadia Comaneci win gold at the Olympic games, and did gymnastics for a few years. Others who influenced me growing up were teachers who encouraged me to not look down on myself, and my core group of friends who loved having a kanikani (dance) and good old fun.
What inspired you to pursue your current path or career?
I always had aspirations to just support our people, our communities and loved the whakaaro that community psychology brought. So after completing a Master’s in Social Work, I completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Community Psychology. While doing that I learnt about evaluation mahi and loved the idea of being able to support the growth and development of kaupapa and communities through evaluation, making good use of our reflective processes. More recently, I went back to academia to complete a PhD with a focus on Kaupapa Māori evaluation in co-design kaupapa. I have worked in the youth sector for about 20 years, and in 2007, I moved into independent contracting, doing a range of mahi around service development and implementation, facilitation and evaluation research. I like working with collaborations and partnerships because I believe this unlocks the key to improved outcomes for our communities.
What is your role in the Te Kete Rongomau project?
I’m really a kaitautoko/support person, but they call the role a Project Manager. I see my role as supporting the Waikato team with the implementation of the research and MAPS tools in their workspaces. Both Areta and I try to keep the wheels rolling forward. I also support the wider Te Kete Rongomau research team with other research aspects and ensure that we are tika to the kōrero of having a Māori-centred and co-produced approach.
What benefits do you see resulting from the work with Te Kete Rongomau?
I hope that this research project will benefit tāngata whaiora, whānau, and kaimahi by supporting communication between the different groups. I hope that it supports tāngata whaiora to have their voice shared and heard and, therefore, have greater tino rangatiratanga over their own journey. I see benefits for kaimahi, too, that the tools may help them understand more about each tangata whaiora and what really works for them.
What do you like doing for fun? Are there any hobbies or interests people might be surprised to learn about?
I used to learn piano in school, and so I’m picking that back up as a hobby. Otherwise, I’m generally pretty boring. I like travelling, skiing, spending time with family and friends, and having my dog around—he doesn’t walk very far these days.
Can you share a valuable lesson you’ve learned on your journey?
Lately, my lesson has been that we are never too old to think about improving our attitudes and who we are as people. It is important to return to and live our core values—aroha, manaakitanga, mahi tahi—because our well-being is in our collectives, not just in ourselves.
Kōrero with Areta Ranginui-Charlton
Can you tell us about your background and where you grew up? Where do you whakapapa to? Where do you live now, and what do you love about your region?
He uri tēnei nō te maunga whakahī o Panekire me te waiora o Waikaremoana, ko Ngāi Tūhoe me Ngāti Ruapani ngā iwi. Heoi anō, i tipu ake au ki te taha o te awa o Waikato, nā reira e mihi ana ki te rohe o Tainui waka, nāna ahau i poipoi. I whakapapa to the beautiful Waikaremoana, deep in Te Urewera. My whānau also whakapapa to Scotland, Ireland and to Newcastle in England.
I was born and raised in Kirikiriroa, specifically Fairfield, where I still reside. Whānau is really important to me and my partner, so the best thing about being here is being close to all of our whānau. Other than that, I love the local community and the beautiful awa that is the foundation of Kirikiriroa.
I am in the early stages of my career, recently completing my Master's in Community Psychology at the University of Waikato. Since then, I have worked within Māori health before taking on the role of Independent evaluator.
What influential experiences or people in your early life shaped who you are today? What inspired you to pursue your current path or career?
My mātua have hugely shaped me as a person, role-modelling what it looks like to live a life that embodies your uara and tikanga within mahi and relationships. They inspired me to consider a career where I can gain skills that contribute to my hapori and live up to the uara I value.
What is your role in the Te Kete Rongomau project?
My role in the project is supporting Waikato project manager Debbie Goodwin and the rest of the Waikato team throughout the implementation phase. This has included analysis, resource development, and support for coordinating the Waikato team.
What benefits do you see resulting from the work being done with Te Kete Rongomau?
Aside from tools that can be helpful for Whaiora on their journeys, there is potential to see kaimahi reminded and upskilled about Advanced Preference Statements and how these can be better applied in practice to support Whaiora's well-being.
What do you like doing for fun? Are there any hobbies or interests people might be surprised to learn about?
I really enjoy baking sweet treats 🧁, walking my kurī 🐾, reading good books📚, attending cool kaupapa with my friends and going to my Kaupapa Māori gym, The Movement, to lift weights and kōrero Māori 🏋️♀️🗣
Can you share a valuable lesson you’ve learned on your journey?
We shouldn’t underestimate the influence our actions have in uplifting others—akiaki te tī o te tangata—nurturing the indescribable light in a person. Manaakitanga and aroha are universal concepts that go a long way in te ao hurihuri.
Kōrero with Cindy Shepherd
Can you tell us about your background and where you grew up? Where do you whakapapa to?
Ko Maungatautari me ko Taranaki te Maunga. Ko Waikato me ko Tāpokapoka-a-tawhiki te awa. Ko Tainui me ko Aotea te waka. Ko Tainui me ko Ngāti Ruanui te iwi. Ko Ngāti Korikī kahukura me ko Ngāti Tupito te hapū. Ko Maungatautari, ko Ketemarae, ko Wharepuni marae te marae.
I was born in Kirikiriroa and raised in Cambridge by my mother and koko (grandfather). I am the second youngest of five siblings. I am a mother of three children, have a supportive partner, and reside in Kirikiriroa. I am pursuing a Master of Applied Psychology in community psychology at the University of Waikato.
What influential experiences or people in your early life shaped who you are today?
My mother greatly influenced my early life. Her experiences highlighted strengths and downfalls that shaped how I am a mother today. Another significant influence was my koko, whom I dearly miss. He taught me valuable lessons, often reminding me to utilise my strengths in life.
What inspired you to pursue your current path or career?
Raising my three children has shaped my path. Becoming a single mother at 21 presented many challenges, and advocating for my children gave me a voice. These experiences ignited my passion for enhancing health and well-being and tino rangatiratanga for Māori, aiming for whakapapa and future generations to thrive.
What is your role in the Te Kete Rongomau project?
I listen to and understand tangata whaiora perspectives on their recovery and experiences in mental health services. I also listen to kaimahi and understand their views. By utilising indigenous and community values, I ensure that the voices of tāngata whaiora and kaimahi are amplified to enhance communication in mental health services.
Can you share a valuable lesson you’ve learned on your journey?
A kaumatua once said, "the more you learn, the less you know." This humble perspective reminds me that there's always something to learn from every aspect of life. Embracing this, I find value in spaces where I can continuously gain new insights from all walks of life.
Next steps
The project teams have now finalised all the MAPS tools and resources, and these can be found on the website: https://www.teketerongomau.com/
When they fill in their MAPS, people can choose to participate in the Te Kete Rongomau research. We would love to hear from tāngata whaiora/service users and their whānau/support persons (optional) about their experiences creating and using MAPS and whether their care and treatment preferences were followed as they intended.
We are also keen to hear from kaimahi/clinicians and staff at the two project sites about what supported or prevented them from following the preferences of tāngata whaiora/service users as laid out in their MAPS.
Overall, our research aims to evaluate the impact of implementing and using MAPS on service- and individual-level outcomes and experiences from the perspectives of tāngata whaiora, service users, whānau, family, kaimahi, and clinicians. This approach was chosen to gather the necessary information to evaluate the impact of MAPS on health, equity, social and cultural benefits, particularly for Māori. (Note: Economic benefits are also considered a likely impact but will not be an area of focus in the present work).
We look forward to re-engaging with all of you soon and hearing about your experiences creating or using MAPS.
Ka kite me noho ora mai
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