About Us
The 1990s witnessed a change in Health Service Provision in New Zealand, midwives became autonomous practitioners and CHOICES was born. We were formally registered as Kahungunu Health Services Charitable Trust on 10 November 1995, but we are more commonly known within the community as ‘Choices.’
Choices began with a strong focus on working with whānau, particularly Māori mothers and their babies, originally as a support service for expectant mothers. Our first contract was a Mother and Pepi, a contract to assist pregnant Māori mothers with their tamariki, and we still operate that contract to this day, helping Māori and Pacifica mothers with their new born children.
Choices strives to offer accessible, affordable and quality health care to all whanau, specialising in Māori and Pacific Island women and children’s health across the lifespan from womb to tomb. Choices have also acquired and currently deliver the following health services which complement the maternity and support services provided:
- Pregnancy testing
- Hapū Mama classes
- School based nursing services
- Auahi Kore – Smoke-free programme
- Sexual health promotion and referral
- Breast and cervical screening
- Immunisation
- LARCs
- Kaiawhina support
- Free contraception
Choices has grown to provide a range of services of health and community services to whānau living in Hawke’s Bay. The organisation has become a trusted and proven provider of Primary Health, Early Childcare Education, Social Support, Advocacy and Reintegration support for whānau. We employ a professional team consisting of:
- GP
- Nurses and Midwives
- Counsellor / Social Worker
- Lifestyle Coaches
- Rongoa and Mirimiri Practitioner
- Smokefree Educator
- Kaiawhina
- Early Childcare Teachers and Educators
- Reintegration Facilitators
- Whare Matua