GIVING BACK TO YOURSELF
Cyclone Gabrielle has a long tail, especially for those whānau who are not yet back in their homes, living at home or in a pod while rebuilding occurs or who have extra people staying with them.
Sometimes it is great to just get away from it all and have a rest and a reset. This time for respite and reflection can be different for everyone.
The Wairoa Recovery Office has launched a respite project to support local people impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. The project recognises that the road to recovery is a long one and can be time of frustration.
Red cross defines four phases of psychosocial impact following a disaster:
• Heroic phase: Immediate response without counting the costs.
• Honeymoon phase: Optimism as help arrives.
• Disillusionment phase: Frustration over prolonged recovery, lasting from weeks to years, potentially extended by secondary stressors.
• Adaptation: Long-term process, adapting to a changed reality with no clear endpoint.
Wairoa is currently in the disillusionment phase as people wait for their homes to be repaired while there are limited supports available.
The respite project is whānau-led with Wairoa Recovery Office kaimanaaki listening to each whānau to understand what respite looks like for them. For some, it may be that they haven’t been able to have family visit their home because it is too damaged, so respite might be a visit to Lake Waikaremoana as a whānau with time together sitting around a table and in nature. For others, it may be someone coming in to help care for others within your home.
If you feel a need to take a break and get away from the never- ending challenges, please contact the Recovery Office, where the kaimanaaki can help you with a respite plan.
The respite opportunity is particularly for flood-affected whānau in yellow- placarded homes.
Sometimes it is great to just get away from it all and have a rest and a reset. This time for respite and reflection can be different for everyone.
The Wairoa Recovery Office has launched a respite project to support local people impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. The project recognises that the road to recovery is a long one and can be time of frustration.
Red cross defines four phases of psychosocial impact following a disaster:
• Heroic phase: Immediate response without counting the costs.
• Honeymoon phase: Optimism as help arrives.
• Disillusionment phase: Frustration over prolonged recovery, lasting from weeks to years, potentially extended by secondary stressors.
• Adaptation: Long-term process, adapting to a changed reality with no clear endpoint.
Wairoa is currently in the disillusionment phase as people wait for their homes to be repaired while there are limited supports available.
The respite project is whānau-led with Wairoa Recovery Office kaimanaaki listening to each whānau to understand what respite looks like for them. For some, it may be that they haven’t been able to have family visit their home because it is too damaged, so respite might be a visit to Lake Waikaremoana as a whānau with time together sitting around a table and in nature. For others, it may be someone coming in to help care for others within your home.
If you feel a need to take a break and get away from the never- ending challenges, please contact the Recovery Office, where the kaimanaaki can help you with a respite plan.
The respite opportunity is particularly for flood-affected whānau in yellow- placarded homes.
OVER $2M OF HEALTH FUNDING FOR HAWKE’S BAY
Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui has launched a $2m hauora and wellbeing package, including free counselling sessions and online doctor consults for Hawke’s Bay residents affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Wairoa residents can access free GP and counselling (dependent on need) through the Queen St Practice, supported by Kahungunu Executive, Ngāti Pahauwera and Rongomawahine. The Wairoa hauora providers have also received funding to organise social hauora days for the elderly and to provide transport within Wairoa for the elderly visiting the GP.
Age Concern Wairoa can also help transport whānau to visit elderly living in residential homes out of the district and will be providing training to whānau carers who are looking after their elderly in their own homes.
Te Whatu Ora Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Manager Pania Shingleton said the comprehensive package, alongside the counselling, includes online doctor consults, pharmacy treatments, and the traditional Māori healing practice of rongoā, will support Hawke’s Bay communities.
“Last year was challenging for many in our community, and we want to get 2024 off to a more positive start,” says Shingleton.
Further healthcare help is being given to people displaced in category one, two, or three and all Wairoa residents: two free GP and nurse visits and a free after-hours emergency consultation.
“We want to ensure this package is effective in helping people where it is needed, with a wide range of options to ensure people are able to look after their health and wellbeing,” says Shingleton.
Funding has also been allocated to five Māori Health providers, including Kahungunu Executive in Wairoa to facilitate people accessing Practice Plus, an online doctor service, giving people a place in the community to ask for help. These providers are helping people book appointments on the Practice Plus app, including people who are not enrolled with a doctor.
“We know accessing healthcare is a barrier to some people in our community. The sooner they see someone, the more positive their health outcomes are, which is why we worked this into our funding.
“We urge people to contact their GP if they need someone to talk to.
“Please don’t be shy about reaching out to get help. We don’t want anyone to miss out.”
To access the free counselling sessions, you need to visit your GP. There is currently a four- to six-week wait for these across the region. Counselling is also available by calling or texting 1737.
People who have been displaced can get a letter from their council (if property owners) and provide proof of their category one to three address, such as a utility bill to that address. This will entitle their household to two free GP and nurse consultations and one after-hours consultation, alongside the ‘Reach out for help’ package.
The funding is open now and runs until 30 June 2024.
Wairoa residents can access free GP and counselling (dependent on need) through the Queen St Practice, supported by Kahungunu Executive, Ngāti Pahauwera and Rongomawahine. The Wairoa hauora providers have also received funding to organise social hauora days for the elderly and to provide transport within Wairoa for the elderly visiting the GP.
Age Concern Wairoa can also help transport whānau to visit elderly living in residential homes out of the district and will be providing training to whānau carers who are looking after their elderly in their own homes.
Te Whatu Ora Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery Manager Pania Shingleton said the comprehensive package, alongside the counselling, includes online doctor consults, pharmacy treatments, and the traditional Māori healing practice of rongoā, will support Hawke’s Bay communities.
“Last year was challenging for many in our community, and we want to get 2024 off to a more positive start,” says Shingleton.
Further healthcare help is being given to people displaced in category one, two, or three and all Wairoa residents: two free GP and nurse visits and a free after-hours emergency consultation.
“We want to ensure this package is effective in helping people where it is needed, with a wide range of options to ensure people are able to look after their health and wellbeing,” says Shingleton.
Funding has also been allocated to five Māori Health providers, including Kahungunu Executive in Wairoa to facilitate people accessing Practice Plus, an online doctor service, giving people a place in the community to ask for help. These providers are helping people book appointments on the Practice Plus app, including people who are not enrolled with a doctor.
“We know accessing healthcare is a barrier to some people in our community. The sooner they see someone, the more positive their health outcomes are, which is why we worked this into our funding.
“We urge people to contact their GP if they need someone to talk to.
“Please don’t be shy about reaching out to get help. We don’t want anyone to miss out.”
To access the free counselling sessions, you need to visit your GP. There is currently a four- to six-week wait for these across the region. Counselling is also available by calling or texting 1737.
People who have been displaced can get a letter from their council (if property owners) and provide proof of their category one to three address, such as a utility bill to that address. This will entitle their household to two free GP and nurse consultations and one after-hours consultation, alongside the ‘Reach out for help’ package.
The funding is open now and runs until 30 June 2024.
support for our community
The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle is still being felt by our affected communities and those supporting the recovery process.
Rebuilding and recovering following a major disaster can be an emotional stage, with feelings ranging from frustration to grief to optimism when achievements are realised along the way. And even if you were not directly affected, visual reminders of the impact of the cyclone or working to support the recovery can cause strain. It’s also common for reminders of the event, such as recent rainfall, to bring back feelings of anxiety and memories of the day.
The time frame and pathway of rebuilding will be different for everyone affected, as will be the road for psychological recovery as people often cope in different ways.
The love and support of whānau and friends, as well as making time for self-care, will help many people through this difficult time. Basic things, such as eating well and getting enough sleep, make a big difference to your mental wellbeing, as does connecting with people you love and doing things that you enjoy.
Rebuilding and recovering following a major disaster can be an emotional stage, with feelings ranging from frustration to grief to optimism when achievements are realised along the way. And even if you were not directly affected, visual reminders of the impact of the cyclone or working to support the recovery can cause strain. It’s also common for reminders of the event, such as recent rainfall, to bring back feelings of anxiety and memories of the day.
The time frame and pathway of rebuilding will be different for everyone affected, as will be the road for psychological recovery as people often cope in different ways.
The love and support of whānau and friends, as well as making time for self-care, will help many people through this difficult time. Basic things, such as eating well and getting enough sleep, make a big difference to your mental wellbeing, as does connecting with people you love and doing things that you enjoy.
