June 14, 2016
Health sector volunteers recognised
Years of effort in caring for her community and raising awareness have won Rotorua kuia Bea Yates recognition in the 2016 Minister of Health’s Volunteer Awards.
Mrs Yates was runner up in the Community or NGO Health Service Individual category.
She was instrumental in setting up Te Whakapono Health Trust, which raises money for hospital equipment and services like dialysis units, a mobile ear clinic and accommodation for patients’ families.
Nga Whanau Haua o Te Roopu Waiora, which includes deaf, blind, physically and intellectually disabled people and their carers, won the Maori/Pacific Health Team Volunteers award for their efforts to help whanau haua and their carers place the direction of life back into the hands of whanau rather than institutions.
The kaumatua in Te Mangai Kaumatua got a runner-up award for the work they do with Mid Central District Health Board advising and supporting a wide range of service areas such as pain management, diabetes, the development and naming of services, whanau care, tikanga support across complaint processes, and reviews of clinical spaces.
Maori Women’s Welfare League past president Aroha Rereti-Crofts was runner up in the individual Maori/Pacific Health Volunteer section for her efforts including setting up ‘Healthy Day at the Pa’, where whanau get access to health information, health checks and services through an ongoing monthly marae hui.
Through her mentorship many of her branch’s members and members of the community now have the capability and confidence to continue her good work.
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