Manu Ora

01/09/2026

Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai - Nurture the seed and it will blossom.

This is a whakataukī or proverb that refers to the importance of taking the time to nurture the seed so that the plant and its fruits blossom and flourish. And that's exactly what our kaimahi are doing, as many of them begin or continue their te reo Māori journey this week with - ka pai tō mahi NMIT... so awesome to have REO111 offered as an online/self-directed hybrid course. And it's free! Rawe!

Karawhuia e hoamahi mā. We got this!

📸courtesy of NMIT

31/08/2026

Mā te mahi tahi ka ea ngā mahi (through working together, the tasks are accomplished) 💪🏾 We just want to take a moment to express our gratitude for another example of great community collaboration. A while back we aspired to buy a generator, to safeguard essential care for our whānau/patients. Reliable back-up power helps us protect vital medical supplies and stay open when our community needs us.

Thanks to a kind donation from the good folks at Blenheim Rotary, a generous contribution from Redwood Trust (and some money raised by us), this combined funding enabled the purchase of a back-up generator for the Manu Ora clinic.

Fast forward a little bit, and today it came in *very* handy when we had a power cut in the area. We were proud to crank it up, and keep serving our whānau who needed us 💚

(Shout-out to Marlborough Lines Ltd, who worked hard to get mains power back up & running as soon as possible, despite these crazy winds!)

13/08/2026

Ngā mihi nui to all those who supported The Big Sleepout!!

This is hopefully just the beginning of lots more awareness, kōrero and importantly, action and mahi to support our whānau experiencing homelessness 💚

More than 60 people slept 'rough' last night to raise funds for charities that support people in Marlborough experiencing homelessness. Photo: Alex Roberton. 

13/08/2026

12/08/2026

Tonight’s the night!

This evening, more than 60 Marlborough locals will come together for the Big Sleepout Blenheim - first to listen, learn and connect, and then to spend the night sleeping on cardboard in Seymour Square 🥶

Come on down! The public event begins at 6pm at Nativity Church Hall, with doors open from 5pm. There will be speakers with lived experience of homelessness, local service updates, a soup dinner, and a silent auction featuring items generously donated by Marlborough businesses and artists.

Tonight is about more than one night outdoors. It is about hearing experiences that are too often unseen, recognising the reality of housing insecurity in our community, and turning awareness into meaningful action.

We'd love to see you there 💚

📍 Nativity Church Hall, 76 Alfred Street, Blenheim
🕔 Doors open 5pm
🕕 Event 6pm–8.30pm



~ with Christchurch Methodist Mission &

09/08/2026

The Big Sleepout Blenheim is almost here - and everyone is welcome to join us for the pre-Sleepout event.

On Thursday 13 August, dozens of Marlborough locals will come together before sleeping out overnight in Seymour Square to raise funds for local homelessness services.

The evening at Nativity Church Hall will include storytelling, speakers with lived experience of homelessness, discussion, a soup dinner and a silent auction. It's a great opportunity to hear what local frontline services are doing and to better understand homelessness and housing insecurity in Marlborough.

The event is designed to build empathy and inspire long-term action - not to replicate the trauma of homelessness.

One night sleeping on cardboard cannot recreate the uncertainty, hardship and fear experienced by people without a safe and secure home. But it may change how we understand the issue as a community, and the funds raised can help change lives.

This is a chance for our community to stand together, make often-invisible homelessness more visible, and be part of the solution.

📅 Thursday 13 August
🕔 Doors open from 5pm
🕕 Event from 6pm–8.30pm
📍 Nativity Church Hall, 76 Alfred Street, Blenheim

Come along to support the sleepers, hear from our community and bid on some fantastic silent-auction items generously donated by local businesses and artists.



~ with Christchurch Methodist Mission & Crossroads Marlborough 💚

07/08/2026

Dr Sara talks about Manu Ora’s involvement in the next week, with Christchurch Methodist Mission and Crossroads Marlborough.

Link in the comments if you would like to make a donation 💚

05/08/2026

It's World Breastfeeding Week 💚 This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works” - recognising that breastfeeding is best supported when whānau have access to trusted information, skilled care, and encouragement from the people and communities around them.

Every feeding journey is different. Breastfeeding may be rewarding, challenging, brief, long-term, combined with other feeding methods, or not possible at all. Whatever your experience, you deserve kindness, respect and support 💚

Partners, whānau, friends, workplaces and hauora professionals can all help by listening, offering practical support and respecting each parent’s choices.

If breastfeeding is part of *your* journey and you have questions or need support, please reach out e te whānau...

16/07/2026

Ka rawe Dr Sophie and Nathan! We're in awe of what you do 💚

Adventure sports champions Sophie Hart and Nathan Fa'avae are both from the Marlborough-Tasman area. Supplied/ Yukon 1000

08/07/2026

Mānawatia a Matariki, Marlborough whānau ✨
Matariki is a time to pause: to remember those who have passed, gather with the people we love, give thanks, and look ahead with hope.

Our team will be taking this public holiday to rest, reflect, and be with whānau. So we'll be closed for the Matariki public holiday on the 10th plus the weekend as usual (and open again from Monday 13th onwards).

If you or your whānau need support while we’re closed, help is still available...

🚑 Emergency = call 111
If it’s life-threatening or very serious, call 111 straight away.

📞 Healthline = 0800 611 116
Free 24/7 health advice from a nurse or doctor if you’re unsure what to do

💚 Need to kōrero? Call or text 1737
Free, confidential support from trained counsellors, any time

🧠 Mental Health Crisis Team = 0800 948 497 (Marlborough)
24/7 help for urgent mental health support

☎️ Lifeline = 0800 543 354 or text 4357
Free, confidential support when things feel overwhelming

🌱 Youthline = 0800 376 633 or text 234
Support for rangatahi

🛟 Women’s Refuge = 0800 733 843
24/7 support if you are experiencing family violence or need safety advice

👶 Pēpi & tamariki under 5 = PlunketLine 0800 933 922
Free child health advice from Plunket nurses

🌐 Trusted health info online = Visit info.health.nz or healthify.nz.
Low or no data? = Go to zero.govt.nz and tap the Healthify logo to browse for free

💊 Local pharmacies
Pharmacies can help with minor illnesses, over-the-counter treatments, emergency contraception, and prescription advice

🦷 Urgent dental care on the public holiday = Phone 03 520 9999 to find the on-call private dentist

Kia haumaru, kia manaaki, kia tau te rangimārie (stay safe, care for one another, and may peace settle upon you) 💚