Nelson Bays Primary Health Carving

We are thrilled to take posession of a new carving that will proudly grace the front of our building.

This beautiful Pare, carved by master wood carver Tim Wraight , is 2 meters long by 250 cm high and carved in Matai.

The design of the work is based on the function and idea behind the principle of Primary Health Organisations. The idea of the organisation being the connection point and conduit between all of the various health services in the region.

The central face of the work represents the PHO itself. Two arms extend from this face to grasp the ends of two tongues which travel from the mouth of the central face to the ends of the work. This in effect makes two “infinity loops” showing the constant flow of information and dialogue between the PHO and the health providers of the region.

The left hand tongue is carved with the Takarangi design, a traditional motif which originally spoke about the separation of Ranginui and Papatuanuku and the light which flooded the world at this point. In this instance, I have used the design to show “enlightened thought and best practice”.

The right hand tongue is carved with the Pungawerewere design. Based on the spiders web, this design has long been associated with healing and nurture. The small crescents carved in the spirals are ritorito or young flax shoots representing this concept of nurture.

At the end, this tongue is held by a Manaia mouth signifying mental and spiritual health while the other tongue is grasped by a hand signifying physical health.

As part of the pilot Primary Mental Health Initiative funded by Nelson Marlborough District Health Board, Nelson Bays Primary Health welcomed Professor Mason Durie to Nelson on Thursday 21st August.  The event was hosted by Whakatu Marae and Mason delivered a workshop on Maori mental health.  More than 170 people from many walks of life attended.

We were lucky to have Mason with us last week and feedback from the event has been universally positive. Nelson Bays Primary Health would like to thank Mason, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board, the management and staff of Whakatu Marae and all those involved in making the workshop such a success.

We add our congratulations to Mason on his recent award of an honorary Doctrate of Law from his alma mater, Otago University.

Download a copy of Mason's presentation material here.

We also hope to have a full recording of his presentation available soon. 

Vacancies at Nelson Bays Primary Health 

Come and work for Nelson Bays Primary Health.

We are seeking motivated, self-starting and innovative people with a passion for well-being and primary health care to join our team.

We are advertising for the following roles:

• Chronic Conditions Coordinator - Fulltime
• Community Dietitian - Part-time (20 hrs per week)
• Practice Nurse Mentor and Education Coordinator - Part-time (35 hrs per month
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) Coordinator - Part-time (20 hrs per month)
• Practice Manager/Administrator Education Coordinator - Part-time (16 hrs per month)