A three day conference will look at tackling suicide rates in the region.
A three day conference will look at tackling suicide rates in the region.
A three-day conference is being held in Rotorua this month to focus on suicide prevention.
Turamarama ki te Ora has been organised by Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao Trust, with the main focus on traditional Maori practices that can be used to support children from birth through to adulthood, andthe importance in helping prevent suicide and suicidal behaviour.
Michael Naera, the trust's project leader for Kia Piki te Ora, the Ministry of Health's national Maori suicide prevention programme, said the conference was iwi-initiated and targeted not only Maori practitioners but anyone who had a keen interest in suicide prevention.
"We have some community interest groups, providers, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, psychologists of all cultures registered to attend. So far there is 150 registered but we expect a flurry of interest this week and estimate about 200 to attend," Mr Naera said.
"Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao Trust felt that we're focused too much on deaths and so this conference is held to put more emphasis more on hope and prevention.
"We believe in Maori-well, iwi-well and hapu-well, utilising only traditional values, karakia, waiata, to things like kapa haka and waka ama to create wellness."
Guest speakers include Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell, former Maori Party co-leader Dame Tariana Turia, lawyer and Maori rights activist Moana Jackson, mental health advocate Mike King and indigenous researcher Dr Keri Lawson Te Aho. Turamarama ki te Ora starts on Sunday, May 24 with a pohiri at Tangatarua Marae, Waiariki Institute of Technology. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Rotorua.
