Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board member Dr Mataroria Lyndon MBCHB, MPH, PHD said national statistics, while encouraging, fail to reflect the challenges Māori continue to face.
“I want to whakanui and recognise that that’s important, that we are making progress,” he said. “But, we know that those national rates don’t reflect the realities for Māori and the inequities or the gaps around Māori immunisation rates, which are sitting at 62% in our rohe of Waikato-Tainui, and I know it’s similar for Te Tai Tokerau as well.”
Dr Lyndon is urging the health system to respond with equity at the centre — supporting Māori-led initiatives, breaking down access barriers, and building trust through culturally grounded communication.
Because protecting all tamariki means ensuring every child, in every community, has the same opportunity to be safe and well.