Mapu Maia
KIA ORANA - NISA BULA VINAKA - FAKALOFA - LAHI ATU - TALOHA NI - MALO E LELEI
-
"Pacific Families and Communities
live healthy and prosperous lives in Aotearoa NZ"
Our vision focuses on families and communities as family/social structures are the foundation of our communities and key to individual health and well-being. The vision interprets health in the broadest sense – physical, spiritual, emotional, social, and family.
Healthy: To support Pacific people and their families to make informed choices to build a healthy life, where physical, mental, family, and spiritual is balanced and nurtured.
Prosperous: To support Pacific people's ability to thrive, succeed and advance towards being independent.
We value:
Relationships. We believe in placing people first in everything we do and remain focused on who we are reaching out to in our work. We believe relationships are the foundation of who we are.
Culture. Our culture, language, identity, spiritual beliefs, and physical and mental-being is centre to who we are. Our well-being is obtained when all these are in balance.
Respect. We believe that respect is shown in all aspects of our work; in our language and behaviour towards each other and the communities we work with.
Collectivity. I am not one, I am us. We belong to a collective; we value that as Pacific, we belong to a family, to a community, interacting towards a shared purpose.
-
Mapu Maia provides a holistic service to individuals, families and communities that is culturally appropriate and effective. We offer free, professional and confidential counselling services and education.
We are able to meet you where you most feel comfortable, whether that is in our offices or in your home. Our experienced and qualified staff work with you and your family and can provide language support in English, Samoan and Tongan.
Our Mission
Our innovative and diverse programmes are designed to engage and support our community through various initiatives. Each programme aims to strengthen connections and enhance the overall health and unity of our community. Through a strengths-based approach, we strive to achieve positive outcomes, fostering healthy and resilient families and communities. Committed to empowering and supporting Pacific peoples in transformational ways toward healthy, resilient, and prosperous futures.
Our guiding principle: “Equipping our people with tools to fish.”
This quote is the guiding principle that underpins the design and delivery of the Mapu Maia service. By this we aim to give Pacific people the means to develop their own sustainable solutions to address the issues that life throws at them. Our Mapu Maia approach emphasises the concept of Vā – the space between. We recognise that to be an effective service, appropriate engagement is crucial. Through the Va Tagata model of engagement, we approach counselling in a Pasifika context through talatalanoa (deep conversation). This encompasses a person’s whole self – physical, mental, spiritual and aiga (family).
Clinical
At Mapu Maia, we aim to provide services that are accessible to Pacific peoples. We deliver clinical interventions (talatalanoa) in English, Samoan and Tongan. We can also provide at-home services for individuals, couples, family groups, peer support and clinical groups.
One-to-one - Clients are asked if they wish to be gender matched with a Mapu Maia clinician and language is offered in English, Samoan or Tongan. Other specific languages are sourced externally if required by the client.
Couples - Either together or separately as the family require. Specific culture, gender and co-existing needs of the individuals are assessed and supported through the Talatalanoa.
Phone, text, social media, and emails - For clients and families who we are unable to see face to face we provide online and phone services.
Group therapy - Mapu Maia has been successful in running groups for the past 6 years in Auckland, Porirua and Christchurch. Group programmes are usually between 6 and 8 weeks, with some groups extending to 10 weeks. We focus on addiction, co-existing issues (such as mental health and family violence) and wellbeing. The programme is facilitated by a Mapu Maia clinician, and at the end of the programme a group evaluation is completed.
Family group - Often there is conflict and hurt in the family when they seek help. Mapu Maia clinicians will work with the whole family to assist with underlying issues. This is usually in the family home environment and cultural engagement is critical to breaking down barriers to talatalanoa. Family involvement in talatalanoa is part of the journey to wellness.
Our Clinical Team - Our National Clinical Team is a group of proud Pasifika healthcare professionals providing expert services across the country. With a focus on mental health, addiction services and more, they are committed to supporting and empowering our communities with compassion and the highest level of professional expertise.
Public Health
Here at Mapu Maia, we are passionate advocates for our Pasifika community's wellbeing. Focused on prevention and education, we work tirelessly to promote healthy lifestyles and empower individuals to make informed choices. Dedicated to creating lasting change, we bring health initiatives directly to the heart of our communities. Through a strengths-based approach, we work in partnership with families and communities to bring about positive outcomes. We deliver public health services through an approach centred around the proven Va Tagata model. This model emphasises relationships and is a key component of the Pacific worldview. Our national service coverage enables us to deliver for Pacific communities across the motu. Our service delivery model is family-centred and works through the multiple layers of community and environment. Our programmes are innovative in design and content, culturally relevant, and effective. With 14 years of experience delivering gambling harm public health services to Pacific communities, we have proven success in public health approaches and programmes. By working in partnership with communities, we support their local solutions to the issues they face.
Our public health service provides free education and presentations to community organisations, social services, government departments, Corrections and so on. You’ll also find our staff at various community events in the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch regions, supporting a variety of health and social issues i.e. Mental Health Week.
Raising awareness about addictions, mental health and gambling harm is important within our Pacific community, and our team is committed to achieving healthy families and building resilience in communities.
Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm - Mapu Maia was established in 2009 to address gambling harm in the Pacific community of Aotearoa. It was recognised very early on that Pacific communities required culturally appropriate and effective approaches to address stigma and reduce help seeking barriers to gambling harm services. Mapu Maia delivers a multi-faceted, coordinated public health and clinical approach to prevent and minimise gambling harm in the community, regionally and nationally. Mapu Maia is proud of our vast experience and expertise in gambling harm public health and clinical work. Since its establishment in 2009, Mapu Maia has built up the capacity and capability of our workforce in the PMGH sector.
Our successful PMGH Public Health contracts over the last 14 years have seen our work grow in community engagement, media and community campaigns, community workshops, presentations and workforce development trainings. In addition to community awareness and prevention work, Mapu Maia has advocated for the removal of harmful gambling polices through submissions, public hearings, community consultations and government minister briefings.
Our team is based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch but work with all Pacific communities across New Zealand.
Mapu Maia is made up of qualified Pacific practitioners who deliver clinical interventions and educational presentations that are appropriate to the needs of Pacific communities. In addition, the team works collaboratively with community agencies and social services to assist them to support Pacific families in need.
Peer Support - Our Peer Support team is nation wide and only expanding. The purpose behind our peer support is to set a space of familiarity. Having a less formal & clinical option and approach.
Lived Experience - As part of our uniquely Pacific approach, we not only deliver programmes to help address harm in our communities, but we walk alongside our tagata ola every step of the way. For us to do this with authenticity, we offer peer support through ‘lived experience’ workers. Alongside our clinicians, these team members help individuals and families – with empathy and without judgement – to navigate their challenges and guide them on their journey to wellness.
Lalaga Alofa - Mapu Maia’s Rainbow Peer Support provides a culturally respectful and supportive space for the Pasifika Rainbow community in Hawke’s Bay. It promotes mental health and wellbeing through shared experiences, community connections, and advocacy for the rights and inclusion of the Pasifika LGBTQIA+ community.
Ta'iala - The word ta'iala in Samoan means "to lead and guide the way."
Ta'iala - Village Navigators - At Mapu Maia, a ta'iala is a Village Navigator who connects our Pasifika people with the right services and resources, offering personalised support to access care.
Our experienced ta'iala team is committed to helping individuals and families to navigate potential obstacles and find a safe path forward. This includes help navigating the health system and social services to best suit the needs of our Pacific community – something our ta’iala are well equipped to do thanks to their established relationships and partnerships with key agencies. The ta’iala team also plan and run communal group programmes, fostering engagement and enhancing community wellbeing. In turn, they empower others to become ta'iala themselves, helping other families along the way.
Kia Ora Ake - Kia Ora Ake empowers schools to provide culturally responsive mental health and wellbeing services tailored to the needs of our tamariki. At Mapu Maia, we are here to ensure tamariki feel confident, connected, and ready to succeed. Through Kia Ora Ake, we work with schools and families to create opportunities for growth through programmes in sports, performing arts, and other activities.
