Latest news with #WhānauĀwhinaPlunket
Scoop
6 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Ngāi Tahu-Whānau Āwhina Plunket Nursing Scholarship Winners Announced
Press Release – Whanau Awhina Plunket Reia Hartgers and Chantal Vanisi each received $1500 towards their Bachelor of Nursing Degrees, supported by Ngi Tahu and Plunket. Two passionate advocates for better Māori health outcomes have been awarded Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Whānau Āwhina Plunket's Mere Harper and Ria Tikini Memorial Scholarship for 2025. Reia Hartgers and Chantal Vanisi each received $1500 towards their Bachelor of Nursing Degrees, supported by Ngāi Tahu and Plunket. The annual $3000 scholarship commemorates the work of Mere Harper and Ria Tikini, two highly respected Māori midwives and healers from Karitāne, who were key figures in Plunket's beginnings. It is awarded to full-time nursing students of Ngāi Tahu descent who are in their final year of study. Scholarship awardee Chantal Vanisi is completing her Bachelor of Nursing at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin. 'This scholarship is an honour and a reminder of the legacy I carry as a Ngāi Tahu nurse, especially as I whakapapa to Karitāne where Mere Harper and Ria Tikini lived and worked,' Chantal says. 'It strengthens my commitment to delivering care that uplifts and respects our whānau. As a registered nurse, I'm dedicated to keeping Māori health at the forefront of my practice and contributing to a future where our people experience equitable and empowering healthcare.' Scholarship awardee Reia Hartgers is completing her Bachelor of Nursing at Ara Institute of Canterbury and her goal is to specialise in neonatal nursing incorporating Māori cultural values. 'I'm incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship,' Reia says. 'It will enable me to concentrate on my upcoming placement and my whānau without also having to work weekends. It's a privilege to be supported, honouring the legacy of Mere Harper and Ria Tikini as I work towards improving Māori health outcomes.' Whānau Āwhina Plunket Chief Executive, Fiona Kingsford says it is a pleasure to support students such as Chantal and Reia. 'This scholarship celebrates Plunket's history of strong and inspirational wāhine, while also helping support the next generation of Māori nurses to bring their valuable cultural knowledge to the profession. We look forward to seeing the positive impact both Reia and Chantal will have in their health careers.'' Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Chief Operating Officer, Kendall Flutey, says the iwi values the opportunity to work with Whānau Āwhina Plunket through this shared initiative. 'Assisting Reia and Chantal to complete their nursing studies is a fitting way to honour the legacy of Mere Harper and Ria Tikini. This scholarship clearly aligns with our tribal whakataukī, Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei, which speaks to the importance of looking after the wellbeing of future generations.' Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Whānau Āwhina Plunket's Mere Harper and Ria Tikini Memorial Scholarship was established in 2020. About Whānau Āwhina Plunket Pēpi, tamariki and whānau are at the heart of Whānau Āwhina Plunket. The charity is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest health and wellbeing support service for tamariki – seeing 290,000 under-fives in 2024. About three-quarters of newborns are enrolled with Whānau Āwhina Plunket each year. Our nurses provide clinical assessments, and along with Kaiāwhina and Community Karitāne, support whānau and families, through home and clinic visits, as well as PlunketLine 0800 933 922, a free 24/7 telephone advice service for parents. Our website is one of the country's most widely read digital child health resources, with 1.8 million visits each year. It is available data-free through the Zero Data portal at and you can choose to view it in English or te reo Māori.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Ngāi Tahu-Whānau Āwhina Plunket Nursing Scholarship Winners Announced
Two passionate advocates for better Māori health outcomes have been awarded Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Whānau Āwhina Plunket's Mere Harper and Ria Tikini Memorial Scholarship for 2025. Reia Hartgers and Chantal Vanisi each received $1500 towards their Bachelor of Nursing Degrees, supported by Ngāi Tahu and Plunket. The annual $3000 scholarship commemorates the work of Mere Harper and Ria Tikini, two highly respected Māori midwives and healers from Karitāne, who were key figures in Plunket's beginnings. It is awarded to full-time nursing students of Ngāi Tahu descent who are in their final year of study. Scholarship awardee Chantal Vanisi is completing her Bachelor of Nursing at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin. 'This scholarship is an honour and a reminder of the legacy I carry as a Ngāi Tahu nurse, especially as I whakapapa to Karitāne where Mere Harper and Ria Tikini lived and worked,' Chantal says. 'It strengthens my commitment to delivering care that uplifts and respects our whānau. As a registered nurse, I'm dedicated to keeping Māori health at the forefront of my practice and contributing to a future where our people experience equitable and empowering healthcare.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Scholarship awardee Reia Hartgers is completing her Bachelor of Nursing at Ara Institute of Canterbury and her goal is to specialise in neonatal nursing incorporating Māori cultural values. 'I'm incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship,' Reia says. 'It will enable me to concentrate on my upcoming placement and my whānau without also having to work weekends. It's a privilege to be supported, honouring the legacy of Mere Harper and Ria Tikini as I work towards improving Māori health outcomes.' Whānau Āwhina Plunket Chief Executive, Fiona Kingsford says it is a pleasure to support students such as Chantal and Reia. 'This scholarship celebrates Plunket's history of strong and inspirational wāhine, while also helping support the next generation of Māori nurses to bring their valuable cultural knowledge to the profession. We look forward to seeing the positive impact both Reia and Chantal will have in their health careers.'' Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Chief Operating Officer, Kendall Flutey, says the iwi values the opportunity to work with Whānau Āwhina Plunket through this shared initiative. 'Assisting Reia and Chantal to complete their nursing studies is a fitting way to honour the legacy of Mere Harper and Ria Tikini. This scholarship clearly aligns with our tribal whakataukī, Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei, which speaks to the importance of looking after the wellbeing of future generations.' Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Whānau Āwhina Plunket's Mere Harper and Ria Tikini Memorial Scholarship was established in 2020. About Whānau Āwhina Plunket Pēpi, tamariki and whānau are at the heart of Whānau Āwhina Plunket. The charity is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest health and wellbeing support service for tamariki – seeing 290,000 under-fives in 2024. About three-quarters of newborns are enrolled with Whānau Āwhina Plunket each year. Our nurses provide clinical assessments, and along with Kaiāwhina and Community Karitāne, support whānau and families, through home and clinic visits, as well as PlunketLine 0800 933 922, a free 24/7 telephone advice service for parents. Our website is one of the country's most widely read digital child health resources, with 1.8 million visits each year. It is available data-free through the Zero Data portal at and you can choose to view it in English or te reo Māori.
Scoop
07-08-2025
- Health
- Scoop
BestStart Raises $91,000 For Whānau Āwhina Plunket
BestStart early education centres around the country have raised a total of $91,000 to support Whānau Āwhina Plunket, thanks to their 2025 BestStart Butterfly Appeal. The money helps Plunket to deliver free community services for families, including home visits, new parent groups and parenting programmes. 'This is the 10th year that BestStart have supported us with this amazing appeal – and they generated a record-breaking total this year – we are so grateful for their efforts, '' says Fiona Kingsford, Whānau Āwhina Plunket Chief Executive. 'All sorts of fun activities for tamariki go into the BestStart Butterly Appeal fundraiser, from face- painting to teddy bear picnics and more, we truly appreciate it.' Over the past 10 years, BestStart centres around the country have raised an incredible $483,000 to support Whānau Āwhina Plunket's community services, Fiona says. 'BestStart and Plunket are both committed to making a positive difference in the lives of tamariki and their whānau. Our butterfly logo symbolises growth, care and transformation; values shared by both organisations.' BestStart Howick topped the appeal, raising $2,043. Each team member cooked a dish from a different culture, and they held a Friday takeaway night for local families. 'We are so happy to be this year's top fundraiser, as it so aptly matches with our philosophy of 'Bringing communities together from the heart'. This time it was bringing communities together through delicious food,' says Centre Manager, Philomena Lobo. About Whānau Āwhina Plunket: Pēpi, tamariki and whānau are at the heart of Whānau Āwhina Plunket. The charity is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest health and wellbeing support service for tamariki – seeing 290,000 under-fives in 2024. About three-quarters of newborns are enrolled with Whānau Āwhina Plunket each year. Our nurses provide clinical assessments, and along with Kaiāwhina and Community Karitāne, support whānau and families, through home and clinic visits, as well as PlunketLine 0800 933 922, a free 24/7 telephone advice service for parents. Our website is one of the country's most widely read digital child health resources, with 1.8 million visits each year. It is available data-free through the Zero Data portal at and you can choose to view it in English or te reo Māori.
Scoop
06-08-2025
- Health
- Scoop
BestStart Raises $91,000 For Whānau Āwhina Plunket
Press Release – BestStart The money helps Plunket to deliver free community services for families, including home visits, new parent groups and parenting programmes. BestStart early education centres around the country have raised a total of $91,000 to support Whānau Āwhina Plunket, thanks to their 2025 BestStart Butterfly Appeal. The money helps Plunket to deliver free community services for families, including home visits, new parent groups and parenting programmes. 'This is the 10th year that BestStart have supported us with this amazing appeal – and they generated a record-breaking total this year – we are so grateful for their efforts, '' says Fiona Kingsford, Whānau Āwhina Plunket Chief Executive. 'All sorts of fun activities for tamariki go into the BestStart Butterly Appeal fundraiser, from face- painting to teddy bear picnics and more, we truly appreciate it.' Over the past 10 years, BestStart centres around the country have raised an incredible $483,000 to support Whānau Āwhina Plunket's community services, Fiona says. 'BestStart and Plunket are both committed to making a positive difference in the lives of tamariki and their whānau. Our butterfly logo symbolises growth, care and transformation; values shared by both organisations.' BestStart Howick topped the appeal, raising $2,043. Each team member cooked a dish from a different culture, and they held a Friday takeaway night for local families. 'We are so happy to be this year's top fundraiser, as it so aptly matches with our philosophy of 'Bringing communities together from the heart'. This time it was bringing communities together through delicious food,' says Centre Manager, Philomena Lobo. About Whānau Āwhina Plunket: Pēpi, tamariki and whānau are at the heart of Whānau Āwhina Plunket. The charity is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest health and wellbeing support service for tamariki – seeing 290,000 under-fives in 2024. About three-quarters of newborns are enrolled with Whānau Āwhina Plunket each year. Our nurses provide clinical assessments, and along with Kaiāwhina and Community Karitāne, support whānau and families, through home and clinic visits, as well as PlunketLine 0800 933 922, a free 24/7 telephone advice service for parents. Our website is one of the country's most widely read digital child health resources, with 1.8 million visits each year. It is available data-free through the Zero Data portal at and you can choose to view it in English or te reo Māori.
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Art flows in for Plunket fundraiser
Artists around New Zealand are throwing their support behind the annual RSM Law Plunket Art Show. The show, which has its opening night on Friday, May 16, and runs from Saturday, May 17 to Sunday, June 8, is in its 47th year, and features work from a wide range of New Zealand artists, in a variety of mediums — oils, watercolours, glass, ceramics and more — that would not otherwise be available in a single, local, exhibition. The exhibition, at Timaru's Aigantighe Art Gallery, raises funds for the Timaru branch of Whānau Āwhina Plunket, and over the past three years alone has contributed $40,000-$50,000 annually to the branch, helping support fundamental courses and activities such as music and movement. Art show committee chairwoman Josie Laming said artists approached had been keen to participate in this year's show, and some had even donated work to be sold or auctioned. Notable among those artists was Kelvin McMillan, whose three works in last year's show — ranging in price up to $3500 — all sold on opening night. Mr McMillan's donated painting will hang in the waiting area at RSM Law in Strathallan St until the exhibition. Mrs Laming said those donations of artworks reinforced how important Plunket was to the whole community. "We're overwhelmed at Kelvin's generosity — it was completely unexpected, and will help us raise as much money as we can for this very worthwhile cause," she said. This year's exhibition — running for the first time for three weeks instead of the traditional two — is dedicated to local Plunket stalwart Jane Denley, who died in March, aged 58, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Mrs Denley had spent 27 years working for Whānau Āwhina Plunket in South Canterbury, firstly volunteering in car seat hire before serving on numerous committees and area societies and then spending 23 years as the community services manager of Mid-South Canterbury. Behind the exhibition has always been a committee of local women — some have served a couple of years and moved on, while others have offered decades of their time to the show. The voluntary committee members spend the year sourcing work from artists around New Zealand, visiting galleries during their travels in order to seek out new and exciting artists to bring on board and ensure a wide range of art mediums and styles is available to appeal to the widest possible audience. This year, more than 30 artists are involved, exhibiting up to 180 artworks, both hung and podium work. Opening night is traditionally a sold-out event, and indications are that will be the case again this year, as tickets are selling fast. Tickets are available from RSM Law, Strathallan St, or online at
