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Te Rapuora O Te Waiharakeke Trust, based at
Omaka Marae, was established in 1991 and was the first Maori
Health Provider to be set up in the South Island. The aim was
to provide for the health and welfare of the Maori people in
Marlborough. It's founder organizations were the Blenheim &
Omaka Maori Women's Welfare Leagues, Te Rangitane Ki Wairau
Inc, Te Runanga O Te Tau Ihu O Te Waka A Maui Inc, Omaka Marae
Inc, Ngati Rarua O Te Wairau Society Inc, Te Atiawa Whanau and
the Nelson/Marlborough Area Health Board.
In 1993 Te Rapuora O Te Waiharakeke Trust obtained a
Certificate of Incorporation under the charitable Trust Act
1957. The same year the Trust was successful in obtaining a
small community Health contract from the Ministry of Health
and steadily built on this over the next ten years. The late
Joe Kingi was appointed manager, a position he held until his
untimely death in 2003.
Today Te Rapuora represents four iwi, Ngati Apa Ki Te
Waipounamu Trust, Te Atiawa Manawhenua Ki Te Tau Ihu Trust, Te
Runanga O Ngati Kuia Trust and Ngati Toarangatira Manawhenua
Ki Te Tau Ihu. The Blenheim & Omaka Maori Womens Welfare
Leagues and the four iwi represent the Board of Trustees.
In June of 2003 Anne Hobby was appointed manager. Prior to
joining Te Rapuora Anne worked for Poumanawa Oranga (the Maori
Development Organisation for Te Tau Ihu) as the Mental Health
contracts manager. She has ten years public health experience
and is a comprehensive nurse. Most of her clinical experience
has been in mental health.
Anne is also the Marlborough Community Representative on the
Community and Public Health Advisory Committee to the Nelson
Marlborough DHB and secretary for the Marlborough PHO. |