Humble community hero celebrated by trust

Hinerua Gray, a founder of the Te Tomika Trust. Photo / Andrew Warner

Instead of celebrating its 25th birthday, Tauranga's Te Tomika Trust celebrated a reluctant hero, who struggled and fought for care facilities for people with mental disabilities.

Hinerua Gray, of Tauranga South, was one of the founders of the Te Tomika Trust, a Maori organisation which gives people with a psychiatric or intellectual disability residential accommodation and helps them participate in the community.

"It's been an interesting journey, challenging but rewarding," Ms Gray said.

Last month she was titled a Bay of Plenty Local Hero, and modestly accepted the award.

"I'd been horribly nervous all week," she said. "I was absolutely shocked. I've never been about recognition; it's about the people, that's always been my focus."

Ms Gray began her venture with mental health after accepting a job at the Schizophrenia Fellowship.

"I'd never been into mental health, not at all, when I did start I decided I didn't want to be there after two days," Ms Gray said.

However, after receiving "unconditional support" from the Fellowship, Ms Gray overcame initial jitters associated with working with people with mental health issues.

"It made me realise if they can work through it, the parents and whanau of the clients, maybe I can work through it. The rest is history," Ms Gray said.

Ms Gray lived by the philosophy, "walk not behind, not in front, but beside them", when working with people with psychiatric and intellectual disabilities.

Ms Gray saw the large number of Maori people who were being referred with mental health issues, which encouraged her to set up residential facilities for them.

"That triggered the thought, let's mobilise the Maori people. We've got to look at supporting them and their whanau," Ms Gray said.

However, the trust would help anyone in need.

"It's more a case of whoever might be, if their families are unable to care for them, regardless of their ethnic group."

Despite successfully establishing the trust, Ms Gray said the journey was full of highs and lows. She said the lowest point was when they were given a house for the residential facility, with little resources and no furniture.

"We never had money at all, but we were prepared to make a difference," she said.

The trust and residential facilities moved out to Te Puke briefly, with Ms Gray attributing their successes to the Te Puke community. "I can never forget the support we got from the people there, she said.

Te Tomika

The residents of Te Tomika are able to partake in activities ranging from visiting marae, preparing hangi, waka ama and learning waiata.