Cancer impacts countless whānau across Waikato—and feedback from 23 whānau within the Tainui waka region, together with broader insights from our Community Health Plan, initial Monitoring Report, and engagement efforts from March to June, is revealing what’s effective, what’s falling short, and where services need to improve.
Our first Monitoring Report, released this month, shows that breast screening rates for wāhine Māori in Waikato continue to lag behind. Currently, just 54.5% of our wāhine are up to date with screening—7% lower than the national rate for non-Māori (64.6%). While there has been a small improvement of 1.1% since the last quarter, the pace of change remains too slow to close the equity gap.[1]
Most surveyed by our Whānau Voice team (nearly 74%) told us they regularly take part in cancer screening, particularly breast and cervical checks. Many said this is driven by personal or whānau experience of cancer. One participant shared: “My mum had cancer… I made self-referrals. I know how important it is to catch it early.”
But behind those statistics lies a more complex picture. Screening isn’t always comfortable. Over half of respondents said the process left them feeling whakamā, exposed, or in pain. Several described experiences that were rushed or poorly explained—leaving them uncertain, anxious, or unlikely to return. One woman shared: “Didn’t want to go back after last time—felt exposed.” Another added: “It was painful and no one explained anything.”
This discomfort was often made worse by a lack of cultural safety. Māori participants talked about mispronounced names, feeling spoken over, or being asked sensitive questions without privacy. “The lady at reception was white and made no effort to pronounce my Māori name,” said one. Others spoke of rushed appointments and the feeling that their experience wasn’t respected or mana-enhancing.
Not everyone receives timely results, either. Some whānau said they had to chase clinics for updates, while others described waiting months for treatment—even when a diagnosis had already been made. One respondent noted: “We waited 3–4 months, even with private insurance. Treatment took 6–9 months. Too long.”
The good news? Whānau know what would help.
They asked for more Māori doctors and support workers, better access to information, and culturally grounded care that includes warm, respectful service and more whānau-friendly settings—like marae, mobile clinics, or iwi spaces. Many called for free screening for kaumātua, flexible appointment times, and reminders by text or email, noting that these are not offered consistently.
Suggestions were practical and clear:
- “More Māori health professionals, please.”
- “Better-informed and pre-screening promotion.”
- “Use marae and iwi groups to get the message out.”
- “Have a Māori support person due to the medical language.”
A little over half of those surveyed also had a whānau member diagnosed with cancer in the last three years, and nearly half of them said they did not receive enough information about the treatment journey or support services.
There’s a clear call here—not just for more education and outreach, but for services that genuinely listen, respond, and hold space for whānau with care. As one whānau put it: “We need more manaaki-focused care. It makes all the difference.”
This kōrero reinforces the need for screening services that don’t just invite people in but hold them with dignity, understanding, and culturally safe support. Because early detection saves lives—but only if our people feel safe enough to walk through the door.
[1] Pg 13 Source: https://tetiratu.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Te-Tiratu-IMPB-Monitoring-Report-to-March-2025.pdf