A new initiative linking a Māori health clinic with Family Planning is opening up more opportunities for sexual health appointments for rangatahi in South Auckland.

Launched yesterday, Family Planning nurses are running a weekly sexual and reproductive health clinic at the Te Kaha centre in Manurewa, which works with more than 150 Māori and Pacific Island rangatahi.

By teaming up with Māori community-based youth provider Te Kaha O Te Rangatahi Trust, we're aiming to meet the demand for more sexual and reproductive health appointments for young people.

Offering our services through a provider like Te Kaha, already well known within the Manurewa community, is a way a provider like Family Planning can help ensure young people in the area have access to confidential sexual and reproductive health services.

Family Planning’s National Director Clinic Services Kirsty Walsh says it’s about helping to increase access to sexual health services for rangatahi.

“We’ll be there to provide contraception, STI tests, pregnancy tests and give advice on pregnancy options,” Ms Walsh says.

“And like at Family Planning, these appointments will be free for anyone under 22.”

The pop-up clinic is open on Thursday afternoons from 2:00pm to 4:30pm at the Te Kaha centre in Manurewa. Appointments can be made by contacting Te Kaha.