11 September 2019

DHB chair Dot McKinnon presents the Supreme Award to Lee Ashford and Wheturangi Walsh-Tapiata, chief executive of Te Oranganui, for Tapestry of Truth

The outstanding efforts of those who work in Whanganui’s health and disability sector were recognised in some style at an awards night on Friday 6 September.

More than 400 people packed into Whanganui racecourse’s Eulogy Lounge to celebrate success and innovation at the biennial Te Tohu Rangatira, the Whanganui District Health Quality Awards.

With awards across 12 categories, the vast range of work done in the sector was amply illustrated, with the judges giving accolades to everything from groundbreaking IT developments to the “wiz bang” office cleaner.

Whanganui District Health Board organises the awards and its chief executive, Russell Simpson, invited the audience to celebrate success, excellence and innovation and to acknowledge the wider workforce and volunteers across the health and disability sector.

“Many people are unable to attend tonight as they are working to serve our community and maintain vital services,” he said.

“Many health workers are humble and perform their roles without expecting recognition. But on any given day there are hundreds, if not thousands, of interactions across our district.”

The winner of the Supreme Award, representing the best of all the category winners was Tapestry of Truth, a 12-week intensive intervention programme designed to engage young people on the brink of social exclusion.

In its first year, the Te Oranganui-led programme has provided a vital lifeline to youngsters for whom school and other services have not worked.

It allows them self-determination, guiding the programme, making use of resources and learning skills such as operating a budget; carpentry; and launching a clothing brand.  

Rangatahi practitioners Lee Ashford and Peter London collected the award accompanied by 12-year-old Dallas Matthews, one of those who had benefitted from the programme.

A special chief executive’s award, chosen by Russell Simpson, went to the Ruapehu Whānau Transformation, an ambitious project led by the iwi of Ngāti Rangi and driven by the Waimarino communities of Ohakune, Raetihi, and Waiouru.

Working from the ground up, it is informed by the statistics and stories of these communities and centres on the wellbeing of whānau with five inter-connected focus areas – education, employment, housing, health and social outcomes.

Launched in 2013, it has sought out solutions to enable sustainable positive transformation for all whānau in our rohe, and alongside others has been supported by funding from Whanganui District Health Board.

The evening was compered by Piri Cribb in her inimitable style, and among the guests were Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall; Ruapehu mayor Don Cameron; DHB board chair Dot McKinnon; Hauora a Iwi board chair Mary Bennett; and members of both boards. 

The awards were generously supported by sponsors Jackson Stone & Partners, Whanganui Air Ambulance Service; Venter & Hull Chartered Accountants; Whanganui & Partners; Moore Law; Graham Adams; and Amtech Medical.

The winners:

WHAKAPAPA & WHANAUNGATANGA

Recognising projects that established and enhanced relationships between service users, family/whānau and colleagues

WINNER: Health Promotion Day: Raa Hauora Celebrating Puanga – Te Oranganui Trust

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Whānau Ballers – Ngā Tai o te Awa Trust and Whanganui Basketball Association

KŌTAHITANGA

Projects that demonstrate collaboration and integrative ways of working to achieve improved outcomes

WINNER: Alternative Approach to Chronic Kidney Disease Management – Whanganui DHB and Whanganui Regional Health Network

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Community Bike Park – Sport Whanganui

WAIRUATANGA & MAURI

Projects that demonstrate supporting and walking alongside service users and whānau, acknowledging and respecting the values of service users

WINNER: Tapestry of Truth – Te Oranganui Trust

TIKANGA MĀORI

Projects that demonstrate new guidelines and protocols related to cultural best practice

WINNER: Te Reo Māori Education Classes – DHB Māori Health Services

MANAAKITANGA & MANA TANGATA

Projects that support diversity and maintain the dignity of service users and their whānau

WINNER: Matariki Celebrations – Stanford House

KAITIAKITANGA

Projects focused on making a service user-friendly

WINNER: Fit For Surgery, Fit For Life – Whanganui Hospital, Sport Whanganui and Whanganui Regional Health Network

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Hapū Wahine Day - Whanganui Regional Health Network Child Health Team

RANGIMARIE & AROHA

Projects that share information in simple language that service users and whānau/family understand

WINNER: Whānau-Centred Care Reflected on Hospital Walls – Whanganui DHB Art & Archives Group

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Rongoā Pānui Medication Card – Stanford House

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Prostate Cancer Road Map – Whanganui Cancer Society

TINO RANGATIRATANGA

Projects that focus on co-design, information and consent

WINNER: Where Should I Be? - Whanganui Regional Health Network

HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLBEING AWARD

Projects that demonstrate improved outcomes and visibility for health, safety and wellbeing for employers and employees, and show the importance of having a safe workplace

WINNER: After Hours Entry – Enliven Kowhainui

SHIRLEY O’ROURKE MEMORIAL AWARD

Recognising non-clinical staff and volunteers who, through their attitude and approach to work, make a positive difference to the people around them

WINNER: Kim Hēmana – cleaner, Spotless Services

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S AWARD

Awarded by the Whanganui DHB chief executive to a team or project that meets all DHB values, has a community focus and shares the philosophy that the best bed for a person is their own bed

WINNER: Ruapehu Whānau Transformation

SUPREME AWARD

Chosen by the judges from the category

WINNER: Tapestry of Truth – Te Oranganui Trust