JOHN Pomana has spent a lifetime sharing the love and guidance he received from his Tūhoe step-grandparents with whānau and staff he’s helped over the years.

“Tawa and Timitimi Turipa were beautiful grandparents to us. We had nothing but love in that home of galvanised tin,” remembers John fondly.

Born and raised in Gisborne and Waikaremoana, John, Rongowhakaata, was educated in Gisborne. He left Gisborne Boys’ High School aged 16, moving into a fitter and welder apprenticeship and establishing himself as a skilled craftsman. John built everything from boat cabins to barbecues with Gisborne Engineering, before moving into machinery repair work for Hawea Contractors.

Turanga Health kaumātua Libby Kerr, who is related to John’s wife Helen, introduced him to the iwi health provider in 2004. John is forever grateful to the inspirational uncle who passed away in 2023. “I still feel the pain of Libby’s loss. It has been one of the saddest things for me.”

Despite no formal health or social work training, John has always had a natural affinity for active listening, advocacy, and empathy. He’s earned the trust of everyone he’s been in contact with, be it through sport, whānau, kapa haka, or church.

At Turanga Health, John worked in a range of supportive roles for 20 years. “I guess I just went on the love I had received from my koro and other people I’ve met and liked throughout my life.” Importantly, John includes his Rongowhakaata grandparents Hori Reremoana Pomana and Teo Keakea Whaitiri in this group.

John’s skills were adapted to good use in Men’s Health and then with the Whānau Ora team in mental health. John sometimes biked to Turanga Health from Patutahi and has never considered any day as “work”. “It was like looking at myself in the mirror with a lot of the tāne. The enjoyment of connecting and sharing whakapapa was enough.”

John pays credit to Turanga Health kaimahi Norm Namana and Billy Babbington for helping expand his own skills. “The things they do for whānau have always amazed me. They have helped people be more self-sufficient, and look after their own families, each in their own way.”

These days, much to the relief of Helen, the 73-year-old has reduced his busy schedule. He remains a mentor for younger Turanga Health kaimahi, and, as ordained Ringatū minister Rev John Pomana, offers prayers and spiritual support for those who want it. John is also a much-loved musician and recently accompanied Te Hauora o Tūranganui a Kiwa kapa haka group at Tamararo 2024. “I’m just the old guy with a beard and a guitar at the back.”
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Outside of work, John and Helen have raised two sons, and two nieces (“our daughters”). He is Papa John to many tamariki. John says he’s content to be sharing more time with them and doing the dishes for Helen! 

​IF you’re elderly or unwell and then you get flu on top of that, it could be hard to fight it off, advises a Turanga Health senior nurse, ahead of this year’s flu vaccination campaign.

Turanga Health staff are vaccinating whānau against this year’s influenza strains by visiting rural locations and workplaces around the rohe. The mobile team has been out and about doing the mahi since mid-April.

Influenza, or the flu, is not the same as a common cold, warns primary care kaiwhakahaere Bobbie Cameron. “It can make vulnerable people such as kaumātua, and those with health conditions, extremely unwell.”

Bobbie asks that if you know someone who would benefit from vaccination “please bring them to one of our clinics.” While you’re there, choose vaccination for your own health and wellbeing too, she adds. “Influenza can make you very sick, even if you’re fit and healthy.”

Despite the warm weather the region has been experiencing this autumn, it’s important to get vaccinated before the cold months hit. “Stick with your normal routine and get your annual influenza vaccination now,” Bobbie says.
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“We’re all busy and it’s hard to find the time but the best chance of protecting yourself is to get your flu shot. It’s free. We’re coming to you. Why would you leave it to chance?”

Turanga Health will be at rural locations and worksites offering influenza vaccinations and Covid-boosters during May and June. There is a mix of drive-through and location-based clinics.
 
The team features 25 vaccinating nurses and kaiāwhina. New to the vaccinating team this season are Hotorene Brown, Franzee Nuku, and Luti Ovaleni.
 
As always, Turanga Health’s vaccination events prioritise manaaki and wellbeing. “You and your whānau will experience being cared for and nurtured, and you can have a cuppa!” assures Bobbie.