New Greymouth clinic for Poutini Waiora

Kaupapa Māori health and social services provider Poutini Waiora is expanding in Greymouth with a new purpose-built facility to meet what it says is growing demand for holistic health services on the West Coast.

The new $3.2 million facility will be built at 62 Shakespeare Street, Greymouth, on Poutini Waiora’s current site.

Poutini Ngāi Tahu owns the land and will invest in the build. Chief executive of its investment arm, Pokeka Poutini Ngāi Tahu, Lisa Tumahai, says the building will be a safe place for whānau Māori and the whole community to seek support.

“We’re pleased to offer our communities more and deliver the services they deserve,” Mrs Tumahai (Ngāti Tahu, Tainui, Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāti Kahungunu) says in a media release. “Our kaimahi are non-judgmental, ensuring that whānau always come first.”

Since 2019, Poutini Waiora has expanded its team from 22 to 45 kaimahi, operating from three clinics in Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport.

Services include primary healthcare, mental health support, disability services, traditional Māori healing and mobile outreach immunisation services.

“Our new facility will have dedicated whānau rooms, clinics and expanded office space to accommodate our growing team and the increasing need for our services,” Mrs Tumahai says.

“During winter, we saw an increase in the number of whānau seeking support for their mental health. Whānau are facing challenges, and the standard health system does not work for all.”

Six kaimahi dedicated to mental health and addiction services will be based at the Shakespeare Street facility.

The development follows a $650,000 investment in new Poutini Waiora premises in Westport, announced last August, and the $300,000 refurbishment of office premises in Hokitika.

The original building has been demolished and the construction programme is being finalised, with the foundations and floor slab scheduled for completion by early July. Kaimahi will work from temporary offices until the new building is complete.

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