Ngāti Hangarau Kōhanga Reo goes Auahi Kore smokefree
Ngāti Hangarau Kōhanga Reo
fulltime staff have made a
significant decision to go auahi
kore (smokefree). This is a
first for Tauranga.
stopping smoking, by telling them that they
shouldn’t smoke because it’s not healthy.
They tell their mamas and papas not to
smoke because “it makes you sick.” This
is all part of the Kōhanga reo kaupapa;
empowering whānau to make good choices.
“We’re all working on the challenge to
make New Zealand a smokefree nation by
2025,” says Paretapu.
Paretapu Clarke of Te Kupenga Hauora o
Tauranga Moana has issued a challenge for
all other Kohanga Reo in the city to do the
same.
Michelle says her staff has just completed
the Wahine Mauri Ora programme through
Ngāti Ranginui Iwi, and are looking forward
to another health journey with a 12-week
Cardiac Clinic Programme.
“There are 17 Kōhanga Reo in Tauranga
and it would be great if they could all look at
taking up this challenge to go smokefree,”
says Paretapu.
Ngāti Hangarau Kōhanga Reo Kaiako,
Michelle Reihana said the Kōhanga had been
“almost” smokefree for the last 10 months
only awaiting one staff member who decided
to go cold turkey because she was the only
one smoking and also the ever-inflating cost.
Staff and children at Tauranga’s first
kohunga to go smokefree.
Michelle explains that being smokefree is
one of the four pou (pillars) of the Kōhanga
Reo movement since its inception 35 years
Let’s kick butt together
Stoptober encourages people
to kick the butt for the
month of October.
For some, quitting smoking for a
month doesn’t seem as daunting as
going cold turkey. The good news is,
if you can make it through that first
month, you are more likely to stay
smokefree.
“There are many
benefits to
becoming
smokefree,”
says Alice
Walker, Health
Improvement
Advisor at Toi Te
Ora – Public Health
Service. “In the first
month alone you should notice
your breathing is easier, your sense
of smell and taste has improved and
your blood pressure and heart rate
will also be lower,” says Alice.
By joining the online Stoptober
challenge participants will receive
regular motivational messages to
help them stay on track. There is
also the option to register a support
crew who will receive tips on how
to encourage those on their quit
journey with some great prizes on
offer. “Having support is essential
for success,” says Alice. “It’s
important to get the right help, and
recruit your friends and family to help
you stay strong.”
ago, because smoking was identified as a
big issue for Māori. Paretapu says it’s often
the babies who shame their whānau into
“Our mahi at Kōhanga is to be role models
for our tamariki particularly within Te Reo,
tikanga, whānau and hauora, and taking
part in these initiatives helps us to support
our future generations.”
A Matter of Taste
“The first few weeks of stopping
smoking are often tough. However,
being aware of triggers and avoiding
these can make a big difference.
Create a smokefree environment
in your home and in your car, and
ask others not to smoke around
you,” says Alice. “Contact
Quitline or a local
smokefree support
service to help
develop a plan
and get the right
support for your
needs.”
If you or someone
you know would like
to give quitting a go this
Stoptober, register at www.stoptober.
nz. Quitting smoking for a month is
always easier in groups, so get your
friends and family together and give
it a go this October! See how much
better you feel after a month without
cigarettes!
For additional face-to-face support
across both Eastern and Western
Bay of Plenty, contact Eastern Bay
Primary Health Alliance (07 306
2315), or Quitline for telephone and
internet support (0800 778 778 or
www.quit.org.nz).
The cast of ‘A Matter of Taste’.
This is a musical
production, with an original
script by playwright Andrea
Kidd. Cast and crew are
Tauranga & Whakatane
Hospital staff and friends.
The story tells the tale of a
vampire family who emigrate to NZ,
fall on hard times, and have to join
to the human work force to make
ends meet.
The young Griselda signs on
as a haematologist at Tauranga
Hospital, but the witches among
the staff are not about to let
someone so different influence
their turf! Meanwhile Grandpapa
vampire emerges from a painting to
stalk the corridors of the hospital.
Vampires, witches, ghosts… see
how this resolves!
All proceeds go to a staff project
selected by those who attend the
shows: make your pick from several
options, and support our Bay of
Plenty DHB staff in their on-going
quest for clinical excellence.