Photo: Kuia providing feedback at a recent Taumarunui Hapori Hauora Day
“We waited eight hours, and no one even told us how long it would be.”
This is the reality for many Māori whānau in the Waikato region, as shown in the latest Whānau Voice quarterly results that reveals the deep cracks in our primary care system.
These insights are drawn from a snapshot survey completed by 88 participants, alongside wider data gathered through our Community Health Plan, first Monitoring Report and engagement activities held between March and June. Their voices paint a clear picture judging by the indicative results, that our local health system is under immense pressure, and it’s pushing whānau to breaking point.
Despite more than 90% of respondents being enrolled with a regular GP, nearly 40% said they were unable to get an urgent appointment when they needed one. For many, the GP door feels effectively closed—whether due to fully booked clinics, high costs, or services being unavailable altogether.
In the first Health System Monitoring Report by Te Tiratū released this month, we note that key data from Te Whatu Ora is still missing. This includes:
- GP enrolment figures compared to the population (Māori vs non-Māori by age)
- Māori utilisation of GP services over the past 12, 24, and 36 months
- Māori utilisation by type of service (in-clinic vs virtual)
This lack of data limits our ability to assess equity in access and use of primary care services for Māori.[1]
So, in these moments of urgency, whānau are being forced to turn to urgent care clinics or hospital emergency departments for care that should be delivered by a GP. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed said they had gone to A&E when they couldn’t get a GP appointment.
Of those, 29 percent reported waiting six to eight hours. Nine percent said they waited more than ten hours. Most waited without receiving any updates or basic information—86 percent received no health information during their wait, and 84 percent weren’t told how long the wait would be.
Adding to the strain, more than half of respondents said cost had stopped them or their whānau from getting care. This was particularly true for those in remote or rural areas like Tokoroa, Waharoa, and Huntly, where choices are limited and even getting to a clinic can be a challenge.
Some whānau reported being unable to enrol with a GP because no clinics were accepting new patients, or they lacked the required ID. These are not isolated stories; they reflect systemic barriers that need urgent attention.
What is Working?
Not all findings were bleak. Most people reported being able to get planned appointments when needed, and those who used telehealth services found them useful—90 percent said the advice met their needs.
Enrolment in a regular general practice remains high, which shows that there is a foundation to build from. But trust and consistency remain issues, with more than half saying they don’t get to see the same doctor each time.
This survey doesn’t just reveal long wait times or stretched services—it highlights the emotional weight of a system that too often leaves Māori whānau out of reach. It tells a story of people navigating closed doors, cost barriers, and uncertainty, just to access the care they deserve.
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board is using this data to advocate for urgent investment in services that are responsive, affordable, and culturally safe. Because no one should have to wait ten hours in an emergency room for care that should have been delivered in a clinic—least of all our tamariki and kaumātua.
[1] Pg 4 Source: https://tetiratu.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Te-Tiratu-IMPB-Monitoring-Report-to-March-2025.pdf