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In answer to a need identified in Women’s Refuge for a culturally appropriate healing service for Maori, a project was born out of a vision by Alva Pomare who, at that time, was employed as a Youth Worker alongside three other women, Sandy Walker, Barbara Walker and Marama Takao and with the guidance of Kaumatua and Mano Whenua, took up the challenge in 1984 by initiating a counselling service which saw the Incorporation of Te Puna Oranga in 1986.

Maori women had been working in the field of sexual abuse and related violence for many years with either none or very little financial support. Added to that, is the fact that sexual abuse is not a field of work that is readily acceptable to the community at large. The stigma that survivors have to carry is also attached to those who choose to be part of the network. Only recently has government recognized the work of Maori women and supported it with funds.

Te Puna Oranga became an Incorporated Society in August 1986 fulfilling the requirements announced by Anne Hercus, Minister of Social Welfare in 1985 who said no group could receive government funding unless it was either a legal entity or had an umbrella organisation that could act on its behalf. In 1986 Maori women in Christchurch mobilized networks in the Te Waipounamu region in order to distribute all information, so groups could start the process to access funding from government. At this time seeding grants were available and Te Puna Oranga was affiliated to Te Kakano O Te Whanau who distributed funding to Maori groups working in the abuse area.

Te Puna Oranga officially opened its doors to the community and other agencies in August 1989, at the Atlantis Building in Cathedral Square. The venue was selected specifically so that those clientele that were in the low socio‑economic bracket, could have access to a counselling service within their means. Prior to this Alva worked from a small room in Te Koti Te Rato at Te Whatumanawa Maoritanga O Rehua Marae.

In 1991, as Te Puna Oranga grew, the organisation withdrew from Te Kakano O Te Whanau, to become a separate identity which allowed for more funding options.

Over the years Te Puna Oranga has established a credibility, which has effectively increased the workload, resulting in the necessity to move to bigger premises in 1992. This time to the Manchester Unity Building, occupying the entire fifth floor. Funding an organisation like this has been difficult, however because of the commitment of the whanau to the kaupapa the work still continues.

Another important historic part of Te Puna Oranga is being part of the Women's Refuge network, physically contributing by attending Refuge training and offering many voluntary hours. The workers have the basic philosophy of 'walking the talk’ and our input into the Otautahi Women’s Maori Refuge is a tangible commitment to stopping the cycle of abuse.

Te Puna Oranga is a non‑profit registered Incorporated Society established in 1984. The organization provides sexual abuse counselling and abuse prevention education and training for Maori ‑ by Maori.