He Kakano Ahau

The Ministry of Health has allocated funding to support a new mental health and addiction service for taitamariki (young people) in Te Tai Tokerau called He Kakano Ahau.

Through He Kakano Ahau, taitamariki and their whānau will be able to access immediate mental health and addiction support in their community when they need it, will be more easily connected to wider mental health and wellbeing services across our region, and they will have one youth worker helping them on their pathway to wellbeing.

Working under the He Kakano Ahau umbrella will be six primary youth mental health teams spread across Te Tai Tokerau, each including a primary mental health coordinator, a youth worker and a senior mental health and addictions clinician.

He Kakano Ahau will operate using an ‘any door is the right door’ approach for people to access the service, which can include self-referral or referral from another health and wellbeing care provider. There will be no fees charged or ‘criteria’ for taitamariki to access the service.

Mahitahi Hauora has collaborated with taitamariki and their whānau in our community, Northland District Health Board, Māori Health Providers, substance abuse and addiction services and youth providers across our region to develop this new service and approach.