Wellbeing Programme
Korero & Care
Korero & Care
Kaumatua Support
Reaching the people who are easiest to miss
Out here, some of our oldest community members live at the end of long gravel roads, an hour or more from the nearest shop. Regular home visits and a bit of real korero can make a bigger difference than most people realise.
Kōrero & Care is a relationship-based wellbeing programme run by Colville Junction. We visit older adults living in the remote northern Coromandel, from Papa Aroha to the top of the peninsula, to check in, listen, and connect people to the services they need.
This isn't a formal clinical programme. It's more like turning up with a cuppa and a genuine interest in how someone's doing. But it does real work. We help people stay safe, stay connected, and age in their own homes with dignity, in a place that means everything to them.
Our community sits at deprivation decile 9 to 10. Many older residents have no family nearby, limited phone or internet access, and roads that get cut off after heavy rain. For some, our visit might be the only face-to-face contact they have that week.
What we do
The work behind each visit
Welfare checks
Regular home visits to make sure people are safe, warm, and have enough food. Simple things that matter a lot when you live far from town.
Advocacy and referral
We act as a bridge between residents and health, social, and government services. If someone needs help navigating the system, we're right there with them.
Korero and connection
Sometimes people just need someone to talk to. We take time to listen, share stories, and keep that thread of community alive for people who might otherwise go weeks without a proper conversation.
Manaakitanga
The way we show up matters. We bring respect, warmth, and genuine care to every visit. This isn't a tick-box exercise, it's about real relationships built over time.
"The programme Korero and Care, utilising local kaimahi with some MH101 training, has potential to address the abovementioned issues by enhancing whanaungatanga (connectedness) within the community and allowing a means to people opening-up about difficulties they may be facing." Local GP in his letter of support
Who we visit
The people at the heart of this work
We focus on adults aged 65 and over, with a particular focus on women living alone and Maori kaumātua in remote rural settings. These are often the people most at risk of slipping through the cracks.
Many live on gravel roads that flood or close regularly. Some have very limited phone coverage and no internet. Getting to a GP or a pharmacy can take half a day, if transport is even available.
We cover a wide area, roughly 1hour drive radius from Papa Aroha to the tip of the peninsula, across to Tuateawa. In many parts of this rohe, the nearest neighbour is a kilometre away.
35km
Coverage radius across the northern Coromandel
~1hr
Estimated travel time to services for many residents
Decile 9-10
Social deprivation rating (NZ Index of Deprivation, 2023)
65+
Primary age group supported
What it changes
The difference it makes
Immediate safety, people know someone is checking in. If something's wrong at home, there's a much better chance it gets picked up quickly.
Better access to health services, because we help people make appointments, understand their options, and get connected to what's available.
Reduced loneliness, which is a genuine health risk. Regular visits and consistent relationships make a real difference to people's wellbeing over time.
Ageing in place with dignity, our long-term goal is to help older residents stay in their own homes and communities for as long as they safely can, rather than being pushed into care situations earlier than necessary.
A stronger volunteer model, we're working to make this sustainable and community-led, so it keeps going even as resources stay tight.
Get involved
How you can support this work
Volunteer visitor
If you live locally and have time to visit an older neighbour regularly, we'd love to hear from you. No special skills needed, just reliability and a willingness to show up.
Get in touchRefer someone
Know someone who could use a regular check-in? Whether it's a neighbour, whanau member, or someone you're worried about, you can refer them to us directly.
Make a referralFund the programme
Korero & Care runs on limited funding. If you're a funder or supporter who cares about rural isolation and elder wellbeing, we'd welcome a conversation.
Talk to usSpread the word
Sometimes the most useful thing is just letting people know this support exists. If you know families or individuals in the northern Coromandel, share this page with them.
Visit our websiteNeed support, or want to help?
We're open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10am to 3pm (closed 12:30 to 1pm for lunch)
Email usIf you would like to participate or you are able to help, please contact the junction at [email protected]
This is a community led project proudly funded by Age Friendly Fund :
