Connecting to jobs and hope

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A historic moment in supporting change

A special milestone has been reached with an additional 16 employment consultants / kairapu tūranga mahi joining mental health teams across Auckland and Counties Manukau DHB regions – meaning that 400 to 600 additional people per year will have access to practical support to enter the labour market.

It is an exciting time in Auckland District Health Board and Counties Manukau Health with the expansion of individual placement and support (IPS) employment support services. Funded by the Ministry of Social Development, it’s a much-anticipated progression in response to the Working Matters action plan (2020) and its aspiration “to help ensure disabled people and people with health conditions have an equal opportunity to access good work”.

Workwise and Mahitahi Trust are working in collaboration, integrating employment consultants / kairapu tūranga mahi across mental health teams to increase the current employment support resource.

“Cultural, clinical and IPS expertise have been woven together into a purpose-built solution to meet the needs of all tāngata whai ora, in particular Māori and Pacific people, explains Raewyn Allan, Tumu Whakarae / Chief Executive Officer of Mahitahi Trust.

“We are proud of this moment, where whai ora will be provided with culturally-appropriate wraparound support to ensure equity of access and opportunity within the labour market, enhanced wellbeing and positive employment outcomes.”

“This is a historic moment. The time is now,” says Warren Elwin, Chief Executive of Workwise.

“There is an unprecedented demand for labour in Aotearoa and a great time for people with lived experience to secure work,” Warren adds.

What’s happened so far?

In a joint online and in-person event, employment consultants / kairapu tūranga mahi were welcomed earlier this month by Auckland DHB at Manawanui Marae in Point Chevalier to mark this special moment for employment support services working hand-in-hand with mental health teams across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Further welcoming events have been held with Counties Manukau mental health teams, with a formal launch in the planning.

During February and March, new employment consultants / kairapu tūranga mahi have completed orientation and training before meeting with mental health teams.

What do I need to do?

If you’re working in a mental health team, and you want to enable a life-changing boost of positivity and purpose for tangata whai ora, then make sure you refer them to an employment consultant / kairapu tūranga mahi. Your referral means that employment support and advice is immediately available for people.

Additional information:

About Workwise: Workwise has been operating for over 20 years across the country. Workwise are part of the Wise Group, a leading provider of mental health and wellbeing services in New Zealand.

About Mahitahi Trust: Mahitahi Trust is a 30-year-old kaupapa Māori heath and addictions provider, committed to helping people and whānau work toward achieving and maintaining wellness through the delivery of integrated tikanga Māori services.

To make a referral, contact the employment consultant / kairapu tūranga mahi attached to your team or email info@workwise.org.nz or referrals@mahitahi.co.nz.

For more information about the service expansion, please contact us.