Toiora – Healthy Lifestyles has been providing Health Promotion programmes and services throughout Taranaki since 2002.

Current Programs:

Problem Gambling:

Taranaki currently has 580 pokie machines. Throughout Taranaki approximately $20 million dollars is lost annually through pokie machines. Like many other regions the problem associated with pokie machines impacts upon people. Raising awareness; providing information; supporting local initiatives that address the problems associated with Gambling and assisting community ideas are all activities that are currently happening.
Contact: Denis McLeod (denis@toiora.net.nz)

Like Minds Like Mine:

People who have experienced mental illness have many hurdles to overcome - stigmatisation and discrimination are an example of those hurdles. Helping those people and address the barriers that tangata whaiora experience is the major focus of this work. Support group "Friends" meets fortnightly and the publication of "Whakairo Pai" are two local activities that are being delivered.
Contact: Darren Hultons (darren@toiora.net.nz)

Auahi Kore (Smokefree)

Cancer related illness impacts heavily upon Maori - therefore the programmes that makes our environment auahi kore plays an important role. Projects which include making Marae - Sports Clubs - Workplaces - all Auahi Kore, requires change in attitudes and behaviours. Our role is to assist people to make that change.
Contact: Kim Hiroti (kim@toiora.net.nz)

Nutrition & Physical Activity

Obesity and heart related diseases are a significant health problem, therefore by changing our habits and attitudes will lead to a healthier lifestyle. The promotion of ways to change these behaviours especially for Maori is a challenge which many are taking up, especially within Kohanga, Kaumatua and Marae.
Contact: Rakei Ngaia (rakei@toiora.net.nz)

Hauora Taranaki PHO - Health Promotion

The development of health services within the Primary Health Organisation (Hauora Taranaki) is a new initiative for the PHO. Establishment of knowledge about what is Health Promotion and incorporating the Health Promotion component into various planned services is creating new ideas and opportunities.
Contact: Donna Leatherby (donna@toiora.net.nz)

Toiora also works towards empowering Maori communities by assisting the development of iwi, hapu, whanau and marae in developing their own capacity to deliver programmes and services for their own communities.

Staff from Toiora are also linked and participate in various National Committees and forums to keep updated of developments at a National level.