A unique grief support programme is attracting nationwide interest, its organiser says.
Patricia Grace. Photo: Grant Maiden.
The Mary Potter Hospice in Porirua started story-telling group sessions in July led by three well-known Māori authors, who share stories either from their own experiences of bereavement or from Māori mythology.
The authors taking part in the sessions include Patricia Grace (Ngāti Toa/Te Ātiawa), Apirana Taylor (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāti Ruanui) and Queenie Rikihana (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Te Āti Awa ki Waikanae).
Vanessa Eldridge, who is the Māori liaison at the Mary Potter Hospice, came up the concept in 2013.
The Rongomaiwahine and Ngāti Kahungunu descendant said the pilot programme had attracted up to 50 people at each of the two sessions run so far, with people in the groups making friendships.
Ms Eldridge said even people outside of the Wellington region were showing an interest.
"We've had telephone calls from people from as far as Auckland, Kaikohe and Otago wanting to know about the programme," she said.
"Somebody is coming up from Otago Hospice to attend a programme to see how we formed it, but I do think we will work towards definitely doing it again next year."
There are two more story-telling sessions to go and the last one will include a group of local Māori healers, who will be giving support to those who attend.
Although the story-telling sessions come from a Māori worldview, they are open to the public and are free of charge.
