Tā Mātou Kōrero
Our Story
Our Whakapapa
Manaaki Ora Trust stems from the integration of Tipu Ora and Te Utuhina Manaakitanga in 2012 – two established and successful health groups – to update our response to health and meet changing demands and economic challenges. As a single governance group with shared infrastructure and services, Manaaki Ora ensures Tipu Ora and Te Utuhina remain as high performing service providers that utilise kaupapa Māori approaches, Te Arawa tikanga, and strong models of health practice.
Te Rōpū o Te Ora – The Women’s Health League
In 1931, the Rotorua-based district nurse, Robina Cameron, was confronted by high Māori infant and maternal mortality rates, an alarming prevalence of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. She became the president of the Women’s Health League – Te Rōpū o Te Ora, at its first conference at Tūnohopū Marae in 1937.
Māori and Pākehā women of Rotorua helped Nurse Cameron in her work and Nurse Cameron also consulted Te Arawa leaders who supported meetings and clinics to educate Māori about health, hygiene and home making skills – the objectives of Te Rōpū o Te Ora. She also developed a maternal infant care program specifically designed for Māori (which has been used as the Tipu Ora Resource Kit over the last two decades).
In September 2018 Te Rōpū o Te Ora held its 81st annual meeting at Tūnohopū Marae, attended by representatives from around the country.
Nurse Cameron Memorial Trust
The Nurse Cameron Memorial Trust was set up in 1985 and its trustees – Pihopa and Inez Kingi, Hariata Paikea, Anne Barham, Dr Bert Sill, Mihi Tule, Augustus Rerewa Meha and Annette Sykes – opened the Tūnohopū Health Centre on August 30, 1986 with two GPs, Māori healers, a natural health therapist, a community worker, and a Public Health Nurse. It fulfilled Inez’s vision for ‘Western trained and traditional Māori healers working side by side.’
Core Values
The decisions we make are a reflection of Manaaki Ora core values
WHĀNAU
A foundation for Māori health. Manaaki Ora requires staff to understand the importance of whānau based approaches in achieving wellness.
TIKA
Requires Manaaki Ora staff and the organisation to act with integrity based on the full understanding of principles and tikanga related to the trust.
WHAKAPONO
Contribute to spiritual and mental wellbeing through belief and faith.
AROHA
Requires Manaaki Ora services and staff to provide a positive and caring environment to inspire and nurture whānau to grow.
MĀTAURANGA
Requires Manaaki Ora to be a learning organisation of continual improvement that applies its knowledge to supporting clients and whānau.
MANAAKITANGA
Nurture, build and strengthen relationships at all levels.
KAITIAKITANGA
Carries the responsibility to protect and care for staff, clients and other relationships that we value. Supporting others to be healthy is a fundamental expectation of all staff.
TIKANGA
Te Arawa Tikanga is a foundation for our staff relating to Manaaki Ora process and procedures.