About Aroā

Aroā is a strengths-based model that seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of whānau, by investing in their inherent worth and creating safe spaces that foster greater awareness and uptake of services. We want to help whānau in Te Waipounamu overcome barriers to the availability, accessibility, affordability and appropriateness of healthcare. In the past we have supported kaumātua health days, wānanga on Huntington’s disease and whānau fitness journeys. At the moment, we are focused on addressing disparities for Māori in two specific areas: cervical cancer screening, and rangatahi sexual health. You can read more about these kaupapa below.

Aroā is currently delivered in partnership with Pharmac, and we are always open to new opportunities to work with like-minded organisations who want to create health and wellbeing opportunities for whānau.

Aroā te marea, kia ora ai te iwi. If many have an understanding, then the people will thrive.

Cervical cancer awareness

We are targeting wāhine Māori over the age of 25 who are due (or overdue) for their regular cervical smear. We know that cervical screening makes a lot of us feel anxious and uncomfortable, but it is an important tool in protecting our wāhine from this disease. Through Aroā, we are hosting a series of events for wāhine to learn more about cervical cancer symptoms and preventative measures, and get a smear – all free of charge.

We have been working closely with Screen South and He Waka Tapu to create these events, with the support of the #smearyourmea campaign.

Next screening event …

Calling all wāhine Māori and tangata Māori aged 25 years and over, who may be due or overdue their cervical smear. If this is you, we welcome you to take part in our FREE cervical screening opportunity being held on Saturday, November 11 in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.

If you wish to sign up, please register your interest using this online form (be sure to fill in your contact details correctly) and we will be in touch.

 

HPV, bowel and breast screening

The kaupapa on November 11 will also include an informational session about the recently rolled out HPV self-testing option as well as kōrero on bowel and breast screening. We welcome all whānau who are interested in learning more about these topics to join us.

Register your interest for this sesssion (from 11.30am to 1pm) using this form.

Rangatahi sexual health

Our goal is to address disparities for rangatahi Māori when it comes to sexual health awareness, access and outcomes in Te Waipounamu. We are working with experienced educators Attitude on an in-school presentation that will provide rangatahi with a better understanding of sexual health, and where they can go to access resources and services.

The team at Attitude are passionate and experienced, and we are working closely with them to develop a presentation that is grounded in a kaupapa Māori framework and upholds the Whānau Ora approach. This presentation will be delivered to 50 schools across Te Waipounamu in Term 3 of 2022, focusing on kura kaupapa Māori and schools with high Māori rolls.

Enquire about Aroā

He pātai āu? Have you got a question, give us a call, or send us your pātai