Te Puna Ora o Mataatua has established a subsidiary to manage its medical services and oversee Rehua Medical, interests in Tarawera Medical, Rehua Nuku Ora mobile clinic and Ngā Ringa Kōkōmuka | Rongoā Māori Clinics.

Further medical acquisitions are under way to develop a holistic integrated service.

The subsidiary, Te Puna Ora o Rongoā Māori, will trade as Te Whare o Rehua.

Board chair Fiona Wiremu (Tūhoe, Ngāti Ranginui) said the intention was to enable a dedicated focus on medical, clinical and rongoā services that would strengthen and sustain accessible, quality care that improved client outcomes.

Shelley Cunningham, pictured,who has been with Te Puna Ora o Mataatua for nearly eight years, has been appointed the manawhakahaere (chief executive).

“We want to give attention to our clinical space. The subsidiary will enable our services to be more streamlined and allow more efficient management of facilities and workforce - while ensuring strong integration with Te Puna Ora o Mataatua to complement its health and social wellbeing services,” Ms Cunningham said.

“The community will continue to access services across Te Whare o Rehua and Te Puna Ora o Mataatua. Our clients and those whom we serve will see improvements in how we operate and the services we offer.

“We will also continue to take a whānau ora approach with all our services including those being moved to Te Whare o Rehua. We know the benefits of this holistic whānau-centred initiative and have seen how it empowers families to take control of their lives and improve their overall well-being. Whānau ora is reflected in our organisational framework, Te Poutokomanawa o Te Puna Ora, and provides a clear pathway towards healthy, thriving futures for whānau,” she said.