Navigating ACC with Manaakitanga
As a kaupapa Māori organisation, Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki is the regional provider of Te Ara Tūhono, known as Te Kawaurua here in the Hauraki rohe – a free, independent and culturally-responsive navigation service that provides tautoko me āwhina (help/support) for understanding and accessing ACC.
The connecting path
Te Ara Tūhono, meaning ‘the connecting path’, is ACC’s kaupapa Māori navigation service. Established in 2023, Te Ara Tūhono grew from a need for more face-to-face navigation services, providing more equitable access to ACC services and supports. Kaumātua (elderly), rural communities and Māori are among the core groups that would benefit most from this service.
Bridging the gap
Jo is the kaiārahi (navigator) for our ‘Te Kawaurua’ ACC Navigation Service, and is dedicated to creating a safe, mana-enhancing experience for our whānau.
Our kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face), wrap-around approach aims to break down barriers to accessing the support that whānau are entitled to, and to bring manaakitanga into a space that can feel at odds with our values as a kaupapa Māori provider.
Jo describes it as bridging the gap – whether that gap be in knowledge, confidence, understanding of your entitlements, or just a hand to hold so that you’re not facing the experience alone.
“Especially for whānau with sensitive claims, who have gone through trauma, it’s nice to have somebody face to face that you can have a conversation with and walk them through.”
Trained to provide technically correct advice and support, Jo can help you fill in forms, provide awhi (wrap-around support) by accompanying you to hospital and doctors appointments, explain your rights and what your entitlements are, and speak to ACC on your behalf. Most importantly, she can provide a judgement-free listening ear.
A direct line into the ACC escalation team can provide insight into what is happening with a claim, and recommended next steps, that may not otherwise be clear.
A little extra knowledge can go a long way, small details that can make all the difference as to whether or not a claim is accepted.
Doing this mahi on a daily basis makes Jo acutely aware of the challenges that whānau face – particularly when it comes to connecting to other supports within an over-stretched health system.
Her advice for whānau who receive an injury is to be thorough with the details and follow up with your GP if things aren’t right.
“We as whānau need to advocate for ourselves, we have to be proactive, and when we’re not proactive that’s when we run into trouble.”
‘Te Kawaurua’ is here to deliver this support throughout the Hauraki rohe to any whānau who need it, with no question too big or too small. “If you’re concerned or have any queries about your ACC, why not just ask?”
To find out more about our Te Kawaurua service, whakapā mai – contact our team on freephone: 0508 835 676 – option 4
email: accnavigator@korowai.co.nz
website: www.korowai.co.nz
Whānau can self-refer or be referred from other health and/or community services.
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