A box of fruit marked the beginning of a beautiful partnership between Te Toi Ora ki Whāingaroa and Braemar Charitable Trust.
When Paula Baker, manager of Braemar Charitable Trust, was invited to Poihākena Marae in Whāingaroa Raglan for a casual catch-up, she arrived with a box of fruit.
“It was such a beautiful koha,” says Te Toi Ora Manager Michael Edmonds. “The fruit was a winner. We sat down, shared who we are, what we do, and from there, we formed a relationship that has led to Te Toi Ora becoming one of Braemar Charitable Trust’s community partners.”
Both trusts share a kaupapa to raise health equity and help people in need access healthcare.
Michael says the partnership initially focused on providing private treatment to eligible whānau through Braemar, but it has become much more.
“We’ve been able to engage with Braemar Hospital clinicians to break down what healthcare looks like to our people, and they so willingly share that information,” says Michael.
“This partnership is helping us educate our whānau about what they are putting in their bodies, what operations they are about to have, and breaking down barriers to better health outcomes.”
At Braemar Community Trust’s free community surgery days in November 2024, Te Toi Ora secured much-needed free dental treatment for whānau.
“We had a patient who needed emergency dental care but couldn’t afford it. They made the appointment, and what a beautiful bunch of people they met,” says Michael. “They left smiling with brand-new teeth and no pain, but the experience they had was just as important.”
Dental poverty is a serious problem in Aotearoa New Zealand, with too many unable to afford treatment. Michael’s team educates whānau on the side effects of long-term infection.
“Having bad teeth affects not just your physical health but also your confidence, mental well-being, and employability,” he says.
In October 2024, Te Toi Ora partnered with Waikato Dental and Braemar Charitable Trust to host a mobile clinic for extractions, fillings, and cleaning. One patient required 17 extractions.
“Here in Raglan, beneath the surface of million-dollar properties, many whānau live in multi-generational homes with 10 to 20 people,” says Michael.
“There absolutely is a need in Raglan and Kāwhia to provide local solutions to these problems through organisations like ours. This is where the benefit of Braemar Charitable Trust and the relationships with community-led organisations are. For many of the people we engage with, there is sometimes not enough money to put food on the table.
Michael says the relationship with Braemar Charitable Trust is hugely important for Te Toi Ora and the whānau in their community.
“This partnership is paramount to the positive health outcomes we’re trying to achieve.”says Michael.
“I’ve made it my mission to hook as many people up as I can with Braemar Charitable Trust.”
