Latest research shows the Turanga Health Kaumātua Programme in Tairāwhiti is delivering multiple benefits to the community. Photo / Strike Photography
The long-standing Turanga Health Kaumātua Programme in Tairāwhiti has been shown to deliver exceptional value to its participants and the Tairāwhiti community, the head of the health provider says.
New research had found the programme returned $8.06 for every $1 invested, Turanga Health said in a release.
Turanga Health chief executive Reweti Ropiha said the figure had “a real-world value” for participants and their whānau, and cemented the programme as a high-performing health initiative.
“As a result of attending the programme, our district’s older whānau are enjoying healthy ageing,” Ropiha said.
“Because they are more active, socially connected and engaged in life, they are less likely to become isolated or unwell, so they end up needing costly hospital care less often.
“The investment and outcomes are a reminder of the contribution older generations can make through paid and unpaid work, raising families and service to their communities in their later years”.
The Kaumātua Programme, shaped over nearly 30 years, was evaluated under economic and indigenous value lenses, the release said.
An international research method, known as social return on investment or SROI, was culturally adapted for Māori use.
In most SROI evaluations, a ratio above $3 was considered strong and showed the value created was much greater than the cost of the service.
The research was a collaboration between Turanga Health and the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.
Senior research fellow at the university, Dr Louise Mainvil, said the SROI research approach went beyond traditional evaluation tools.
“We translated people’s experiences, values and outcomes into numerical measures. Kaumātua outcomes were valued to reflect what was important to them.
“Few social return on investment studies have been culturally adapted for indigenous use. Our approach was verified when Social Value International, a global network focused on social impact and social value, ‘assured’ our report.”
The SROI research, funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand, involved interviews with kaumātua, Turanga Health kaimahi and external partners. The five key outcomes for kaumātua were:
Ropiha said the programme was the local iwi health provider’s first group support service. It was established in 1998 shortly after Turanga Health was founded.
In its early days, a small group of kaumātua and kuia attended regular gatherings. They shared a cup of tea, participated in singing and activities, and learned practical ways to maintain their health.
Lindsay Henare has been involved in the programme for 16 years. He used to be a volunteer bus driver transporting kaumatua to various marae and venues around Gisborne.
“Most of our kaumātua live on their own, so this is something they look forward to,” Henare said. “There is always a different kaupapa, but the focus is on health.
“There is also music and entertainment, games of euchre and other things our old people are involved in. Full credit to Turanga Health and the CEO for providing the programme.”
The programme has grown to include 420 registered whānau, about 300 of whom identify as Māori. About 200 attend each fortnightly event, requiring larger marae and venues, as well as organised transport options, and a wider range of nurses, group fitness instructors and kaiāwhina (helpers).
“We are privileged to have had over 5000 kaumātua join us over the 28 years we have been running it,” Ropiha said.
The programme now offers a wide range of activities and services. Alongside waiata, craft, safe exercise and tai chi, participants can receive vaccinations, dental checks and hear from visiting health and wellbeing experts.
Another goal of the programme is to “demystify” the health system for older people, helping them become more familiar with medical language and introducing them to services they may not have encountered before.
Kaumātua were recently given a guided tour of MRI facilities at Mātai Medical Research Institute, helping to make the process more understandable and less intimidating.
Over the years the programme has been supported by a wide community effort, including former staff and those who have contributed in simple but meaningful ways, such as baking or dropping off whānau.
“All those involved over the past 28 years can view this report as a gesture of our appreciation, recognising and affirming their contribution,” Ropiha said.
