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Mason Durie was quoted in 1997 as having said: "If infectious desease were the main cause of Maori ill health one hundred years ago, then mental health disorders have now assumed first place as a major health risk". The key findings in the Te Rau Hinengaro report launched by the Ministry of Health in 2006 state that "one in two Maori have experienced mental illness sometime in their life" With figures like this the the notion to turn it all around is what we do here.

Not so long ago there was not that many Providers around who specialised in providing mental health services for Maori. "People just met in their own homes back then to support each other as best they could". Te Awa O Te Ora's beginnings stemmed from belonging to the Southern Consumer Network Trust. When Whaiora Maori membership grew, so did their desire to form their own entity. Established in 1999 Te Awa o Te Ora Trust is now a small NGO contracted to provide Kaupapa Maori wrap around health services to people aged 18-60 years who have experience of mental illness.

Whaiora remain an integral part of the organisation. The Whanau Forum continues to operate monthly and it is from this forum that two representatives are elected as Board members. Having a collective wealth of experience, a supportive environment conducive to leadership, lots of positive attitude with a pinch of saavy in a shifting fiscal environment the forward motion of Te Awa o Te Ora is assured as Tangata Whaiora represent 59% of our workforce. Kia ora this is who we are. 

Nau mai haere mai, welcome to our website.