Rūnanga Expands Free Health and Advocacy Services for Katikati Community

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhariua, based at 111 Main Road in Katikati, offers a wide range of free services to anyone in the community — regardless of age, background or iwi affiliation. Operations manager Valarie Uilou says the rūnanga's catchment stretches from Waihī Beach through to Whakamārama, and every service it provides is available to all.

A free on-site doctor clinic runs every Tuesday evening from 6pm to 9pm, with no enrolment needed — people can simply walk in and wait to see the doctor and nurse. The service has become especially important since Katikati Medical Centre closed its books in February, and a telehealth option through Pirirakau Hauora is also available for those who cannot register elsewhere.

Beyond health, the rūnanga's 14 staff support whānau with adult and youth mental health, advocacy for kuia, kaumātua, māmā and pēpi, counselling, rangatahi mentoring, and help navigating government agencies such as MSD, IRD and ACC. Uilou says many people simply don't know they can upload documents through agency portals, or that the rūnanga can make those calls alongside them. "We just want you to come to the door — because we can't help if we don't know," she said.

Uilou encourages anyone who feels whakamā about asking for help to push past that feeling. The rūnanga can be contacted on 07 549 0760 or at admin@tamawhariua.org.nz.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).