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Home / Hawkes Bay Today

Ana Apatu: A community responding to its need

By Ana Apatu
Hawkes Bay Today·
4 Feb, 2015 03:00 AM4 mins to read

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Gary Hemmings

Gary Hemmings

This past week, Gary Hemmings, of Commonsense Concepts, invited me to a face-to-face at the Mission. A group of local "Linked In" professionals network with guest presenters. For this occasion, we were asked to speak on the highs and lows of our life journey.

I marvel at people like Henare O'Keefe who can stand up and present according to the audience or mood at that time. A natural orator. I'm not. I agonise over my presentation, seek help from Traci Tuimaseve Trail Media with my Power Point, rehearse what I am going to say and still I need to refer to my notes. Chris Tremain, Mike Purchas and motivational speaker Cath Vincent - "wake up your wow" and I have 30 mins each.

Afterwards we sit on a panel and answer questions from the floor. My last slide U-Turn, Your Turn (thanks Peter Wogan). My mantra "if we improve the well-being of Flaxmere - the whole region benefits". U-turn needs your help. Questions flow from the floor.

Gary insightfully asks whether the group would be interested in a visit to Te Aranga Marae. Most respond. I am quietly surprised and pleased. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate a community responding to its need. All initiatives we run are in response to the Flaxmere community's demand and desire. This also provides an opportunity to bring people to the marae, something many may not have done before.

At one stage, I listen to a woman who has rentals and is frustrated with some tenants. Sky dish and cigarettes but can't afford to pay rent.

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Henare and I are invited to Newstalk ZB presenter Mike King's Nutters show - Sunday 11pm-1am. Boris, the show's producer, meets us at the airport.

Driving into Auckland city, I am surprised to learn that this slot has more listeners than Friday or Saturday 8-10pm. A symptom of those who find it hard to sleep?

Perhaps sleepless with the prospect of work the next day or of the comfort of hearing a voice when unable to sleep. I am a sleeper, I love my sleep and have to admit that I have never listened to this show.

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We go to dinner with Mike King "Head Nut" and the show's psychologist or "nut cracker" Malcolm. Mike, a long-standing supporter of people with mental health conditions, shares with us the dynamics of this show.

Listeners can call in to ask questions, ask for help or share stories. Over the two-year history of the show, it has provided a niche for many listeners..

Over dinner, Malcolm and Mike discuss individuals who ring in regularly. A kind of a checklist. Whether listeners have attended counselling or sought help of some sort.

I learn from the website the Nutters Club is a world first, online and offline media phenomenon that claims to have changed and saved lives. It has spawned a large, strong and supportive Facebook community and morphed into a popular television series on Maori Television. More than 500,000 people view the Nutters Club Facebook page every week.

Discover more

Ana Apatu: Divine times at Jerusalem Bay

07 Jan 04:00 AM

Ana Apatu: Rowley found himself in writing

14 Jan 03:00 AM

Ana Apatu: Positive goals for U-Turn Trust

21 Jan 03:00 AM

Ana Apatu: Reflecting on two years without Jono

28 Jan 03:00 AM

It's stated mission is "to forever change the way people, feel, think, talk and behave in relation to their mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural and sexual well-being; and in doing so encourage us all to take ownership of our own health and well-being".

In plain English, it's a show about "Nutters helping other Nutters live at peace with themselves and others, so that we can all lead meaningful lives".

The Nutters Club deals with all the tough stuff that many in society would prefer to keep in the closet. Topics like mental health issues, drug/alcohol addictions and the socially taboo.

Henare and I discuss our work in Flaxmere. The screen lights up with callers phoning in; 0800 numbers - support services are distributed. The two hours go in a flash. People text us the next day to say they have heard the show. So many people are awake at this time - doesn't anyone sleep? Doesn't everyone realise how important sleep is - eight hours of peaceful slumber is possibly the smart remedy to wake up to a better day and better health.

In the words of WC Fields: The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep.

-Ana Apatu is chief executive of the U-Turn Trust, based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere

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