Jo Kingi, Hoani Wipaki, Tia Potae and John Sayles. Photo / Supplied
Jo Kingi, Hoani Wipaki, Tia Potae and John Sayles. Photo / Supplied
Counselling services for rural Māori with addiction and mental health issues in South Otago have received funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Māori health and social service provider Tokomairiro Waiora will be provided with almost $54,000 from MPI, to secure the future of the programme until April 2022.
"Thesecounselling workshops provide participants, and their whānau and hapū, with tools and support to help improve their wellbeing and resilience," MPI's director of Māori Agribusiness Andrew McConnell said.
"Our financial support will enable this service to continue in the short-term while the organisation investigates long-term funding."
The funding will also be used to run health workshops in Milton and Lawrence for shearers and their whānau, and to facilitate three wānanga to encourage rangatahi into careers in the primary sector.
Andrew McConnell is MPI's director of Māori Agribusiness. Photo / Supplied
The wānanga will include on-farm experience and learning and focus on shearing, which was a big employer in the area, Tokomairiro Waiora Incorporated manager Jo Kingi said.
"We hope it will help address the current shortage of shearers. Careers in agriculture and forestry will also be promoted," Kingi said.
The wānanga would also offer wellbeing support and meditation, budgeting, literacy and life skills, Kingi said.
