Free health checks at Karitane Whānau Hauora Day
Free health checks, health advice, kids activities, free kai and heaps of prizes will be at the Whānau Hauora Day at Puketeraki Marae in Karitane (20 Apes Road) on Saturday, March 14, 10am-2pm.
WellSouth Primary Health Network and Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki have once again joined forces to provide free health services for communities in Karitane, Warrington, Palmerston and further north.
WellSouth is the primary health organisation for Otago and Southland. Co-coordinator WellSouth Community Engagement Advisor, Deb Renata-Gallon, says the success of the previous whānau day in 2025 was a catalyst for another event.
“We had a great turnout, with lots of positive feedback from the community and organisations who participated.”
She says that in 2025, many whānau found they had the time to ask questions of clinicians, get screened on the spot, have their medications reviewed, blood pressure checked and/or be referred to other important health programmes and services.
“Bringing these services and Kaupapa Māori Providers to the community in a trusted space, with time to talk, creates positive health experiences, and supports busy families who find it otherwise difficult to get those crucial checks,” she says.
“We know that the further out from urban centres people live, the less likely they will book and attend primary care health appointments.”
Free clinical checks include blood pressure testing, nurse-led cervical screening, flu and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) immunisations, glucose testing for diabetes, gout testing, advice on medicines you are taking, advice about breast screening, healthy eating tips, mental health, advance care planning and wellbeing advice.
There will also be a rongoa practitioner, offering traditional Māori healing therapy including mirimiri.
Providers include Te Roopu Tautoko ki te Tonga, Te Kaika, Te Ha o Maru, WellSouth Long -term conditions nurses, pharmacists, health improvement practitioners and dietitians, as well as Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Taurite Tū, Able Minds, Plunket - Whānau Āwhina Service and the Māori Women’s Welfare League.
Fun activities for the kids including crafts, Jay the Juggler (11am-12pm), facepainting, poi making and moko stencils.
WellSouth Community Engagement Advisor - Deb Gallon and WellSouth Pou Tōkeke Project Coordinator – Naike Simon-Hopa are excited about the Whānau Hauora Day.