Kaupapa Maori Service
Regional Forensic Psychiatry Services has woven Maori values and concepts into all aspects of patient care and management at Mason Clinic.
The services provided by Maori staff ensure that patient's distinctive cultural needs are being met through these concepts of meaningful relationships (whanaungatanga), supportive care (manaakitanga), spirituality (wairuatanga), knowledge (matauranga), genealogy (whakapapa), skilled professionals (tohungatanga) as well as language and culture (te reo me ona Tikanga) and focuses on excellence, safety and best practice (Whakapaitia).
Our vision
“Our Whare will provide an environment of hope in which whanau will grow, become empowered to be well, and to celebrate being Maori as we return to live our daily lives in the community.”
Mason Clinic has eight self contained inpatient units (Whare) that are all named after indigenous trees. Each of these units provides a specific environment of hope for patients. Through nurturing and support by our staff, patients soon contribute to their pathway back to the community and together we celebrate that growth and re-integration.
Te Papakainga O Tane Whakapiripiri
Tane Whakapiripiri is a medium secure rehabilitation unit for seven males and three females. Opened in 2006, it was conceptually designed to provide a functional, open aired, light enhancing, communal setting with architectural features that replicate a Maori village concept.
An ancestral house (Whare Hui) provides the cultural and spiritual focus for clinical assessments and interventions, Maori specific programmes (Wananga), family meetings (Hui whanau) and healing, restorative sessions (hohou rongo). The Whare Hui is adorned with designs and carvings (Whakaairo) that tell the stories of creation, separation, disunity, mortality, nurturing, strength, fortitude, environment sustainability and the dignity of humankind.
Manu Awhina is the dining house where staff, patients and visitor's physical needs are nourished. Te Whare Manaaki is the clinical and administrative realm. Patients receive medication, as well as personalised therapeutical, psychological, cognitive and physical attention.
The accommodation area (whare puni) is kept under the constant watch of nurses (Kai Atawhai) who are rostered, 24/7 to ensure a safe environment for all.
An inner courtyard (Te Puna Ora Atea) houses native trees and plants, and a rock fountain that circulates water - an iconic symbol of cleansing and healing.
The model of care practiced is built around Te Whare Tapa Wha (the four cornerstones of Maori health), incorporating Maori concepts and values and western approaches to psychiatric treatment.
Visitors are normally welcomed (Powhiri, Whakatau) into Tane Whakapiripiri by the whanau.
Tangata whai ora (resident whanau) at Tane Whakapiripiri are gradually transitioning back to the community. This may be directly to family homes but more likely to be through supported accommodation provided by non-government organisations. Tangata whai ora are constantly assessed on their ability to adjust to independent living.
Taurawhiri (cultural) provides tikanga oranga (cultural Assessments), and supports tikanga Maori interventions for kaupapa whanau and whanau whanui as a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Kai Atawhai (social worker) facilitates communication between clinical team and family/whanau regarding the client’s progress and care plan, and acknowledges the psycho-social needs of family/whanau/significant others and facilitates appropriate supports. Kai Atawhai provide necessary information to assist others in meeting the client’s needs within the framework of the Privacy Act, 1993.
Visiting hours
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Monday - Friday
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2.30pm-4.30pm
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Weekends and public holidays
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10.30am-12.00pm
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1.00pm-4.00pm
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Visiting outside of these hours can be negotiated with the charge or senior nurse, on duty.
Request to terminate visit
Visitors may be requested to terminate their visit in the event of a resident exhibiting disturbed behaviours, or the occurrence of a unit emergency.
Visiting areas
Designated areas within the building in which visits may take place are:
- Lobby area
- Whare Nui
- Whare Kai.
Visiting in the above areas is permissible at staff discretion. (Decision is made by charge nurse on duty.) All visitors are to remain in the lobby area until attended to by a staff member. All visitors are required to sign the visitor’s book. All visitors including lawyers, advocacy services, maintenance personnel and others, are required to produce appropriate identification prior to entry being granted to the unit.
Visitors are not permitted into the main body of the unit
- In circumstances where three or more people intend visiting, they are requested to ring prior to visit and inform staff of numbers of people to expect
- Number of visitors at staff discretion.
Hand luggage
In the interest of safety, visitors may be asked to leave hand luggage at a designated area or in their vehicle. The decision to request this is made by the senior nurse on duty.
Prohibited items
Visitors will be informed that the following items are prohibited from being brought onto unit:
- Illicit drugs
- Cell phones/cameras
- Alcohol
- Cigarette lighters, matches
- Potentially dangerous implements (knives, razors, other sharps etc)
- All glass containers and objects.
Emblems
In the advent of gang affiliation, all associated emblems are not to be brought into the unit.
Staff right to screen
Staff reserve the right to screen all incoming goods deemed potentially harmful to the safety of the unit. All personal items will be returned when visitors vacate the premises. Surveillance of visits is at the discretion of staff.
Children
May visit under adult supervision in the Whare Nui. Children are not permitted within the body of the unit
Smoking
- Waitemata DHB's policy of no smoking applies to all visitors.
- Visitors are not permitted entry to office area or smoker's room.
Contact
Nga Poupou o Te Papakainga o Tane Whakapiripiri
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Kaumatua
Kuia
Pouwhakahaere
Kaiwhakahaere
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Erika Edwards (Ngapuhi)
Mihiarangi Karaka (Ngapuhi)
Charles Joe (Waikato/Maniapoto)
Nick Wiki (Te Aupouri)
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Ward phone: (09) 845-7531 Fax: (09) 845-7529
Regional Forensic Psychiatry Services
Private Bag 19986
Avondale
Auckland.
Te Miro Cultural Services
Five Maori staff (Taurawhiri/Kaiwhakarite) provide culturally supportive care to tangata whai ora Maori in the eight inpatient units and with the community and prison teams. The cultural advisors interface with tangata whai ora and their families at the earliest opportunity of their referral to Mason Clinic.
Maori language and customs are an integral part to the process. Tangata whai ora are treated with dignity and respect. Our powhiri (greeting exchange) process acknowledges the mana (prestige) of individuals, their lineage, their current journey in life and our commitment to travel with them. Karakia (prayer) links us with the Creator, the sustainer of all life. By engaging with tangata whai ora, their key worker, the multi-disciplinary team, and their immediate and extended families we are able to provide complementary advice and services from a Maori knowledge perspective. This is achieved through writing cultural appraisals and assessments, arranging visits with their family, to marae and urupa (burial grounds). Wananga (Maori programmes) are facilitated in prisons, units and Te Miro Cultural Centre. Wananga are interactive and not static. They are informative and compelling. Tangata whai ora participate by reciting their pepiha (lineage), lead in karakia (prayer), welcome each other, impart their knowledge on subjects, develop their skills at oratory, art, poi, carving, weaving, and story telling. Wananga adds depth and meaning to life for Maori by Maori.
Contact: