Photo: Whaaea Audrey Wildermott, Ngaati Koroki Kahukura with Whaanau Voice kaimahi
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board was honoured to attend Tainui Hui-aa-Tau 2025, hosted by Tainui iwi walking in the steps of their visionary Koiora strategy. This aspirational kaupapa brought together thousands of uri and providers across the motu to connect, share, and strengthen collective oranga.
We were there by invitation to support Whaanau Voice and deepen our understanding of how the Koiora Collective and Te Tiratū fit within the wider ecosystem of Māori health and wellbeing. While our original focus was on promoting our Oranga Survey the day quickly turned into something more — a space for heartfelt koorero and deep listening.
What we heard was despite government targets focused on faster cancer treatment, shorter ED stays, improved immunisation, and reduced wait times for specialist and elective care, whaanau at Tainui Hu-a-Tau described a system that remains slow, hard to access, is culturally disconnected, and difficult to navigate — especially for whaanau seeking kaupapa Maaori services and timely, affordable care.
Whaanau Voice Leads the Way
Our space at Hui-aa-Tau was a hive of activity, filled with whānau keen to share their experiences and insights about accessing healthcare. Many whaanau wanted to koorero at length, reflecting a widespread desire to be heard. Primary care was a consistent topic. Whānau spoke about long GP wait times, often up to four weeks, difficulty enrolling at kaupapa Maaori clinics due to capped rolls, and the frustration of not being able to see the same doctor for continuity of care. Many whaanau living rurally shared feelings of isolation from healthcare, relying on transport support from whaanau, iwi or local services. For those who could afford it, urgent care was preferred over long waits at emergency departments, but even this came with financial strain.
The Strain of Financial Pressure
Cost was a major barrier. Whaanau shared stories of having to choose between kai and seeing a doctor. Prescriptions added another burden. Even if a whaanau member managed to secure an appointment, the costs didn’t end there. Some spoke of giving up altogether — delaying care or avoiding it until it became urgent. Many whaanau weren’t enrolled with a GP at all. Some had been trying to enrol with kaupapa Maaori services but were turned away due to capacity limits. Several questioned why non-Maaori were enrolled in Maaori-specific services when they, as tangata whenua, were being declined. There was deep mamae in these koorero, and a desire for a fairer, more culturally grounded system.
The Challenge of Health Literacy for Kaumatua
Kaumatua shared personal journeys of navigating health conditions and the system without proper explanations or support. One kaumatua described an 18-month journey to get assistance to help manage his diabetes to get it under control which is a long time to be mauiui. Others expressed confusion around medication or what services were available to them. Many didn’t know where to go or how to ask for help, and several mentioned feeling whakamaa about not understanding their conditions. The language barrier was another big one, where whaanau are not able to understand a lot of different accents by non-Maaori health practitioners, they feel there is a lack of cultural safety too. For kaumatua living rurally, transport remains another major barrier. Many said that it was much easier for them to go to their local marae that was close. Many rely on once-a-week iwi transport or local hauora hubs that have now been scaled back due to funding cuts. In some areas, services that once operated five days a week now open for just one — creating high demand and limiting access.
Mental Health in Crisis
Mental health was another area of concern. Many who spoke were supporting a sibling, cousin or other whaanau member. The main issue raised was the lack of support available before a person reaches crisis or hospitalisation. Henry Bennett Centre came up repeatedly — described as difficult to deal with, lacking cultural safety, and disconnected from whaanau. Whaanau described not being informed about loved ones’ care, feeling shut out of the process, and being left to advocate for their whaanau without support.
There was a strong call for mental health services that are proactive, culturally safe, and easy to navigate. Many felt stuck trying to get help for their whaanau and repeatedly faced barriers in the process.
The Hidden Gaps in Women’s Health
A number of wahine raised concerns about the lack of accessible information around menopause. They described debilitating symptoms and feeling unsupported or dismissed. Some were surprised to learn just how little was publicly available in terms of education and care. The koorero made it clear that more kaupapa Maaori women’s health services are needed — both in delivery and in design.
Hearing Loss, Delayed Care and Advocacy
Hearing support was another unexpected but prominent theme. Many whaanau attending the hui wore hearing aids, yet no hearing-focused service was present. One kaumatua, a veteran of the New Zealand Army, shared that it took years to realise the extent of his hearing loss. Another wahine described the two-year process of trying to get care for her daughter — eventually only made possible with the help of a Maaori advocate. For these whaanau, accessing support required determination, energy, and navigating complex systems. Funding options, eligibility, and appointment access created further layers of stress. Even for tamariki, care was delayed — sometimes for years. While support grants like the kaumatua hearing aid fund exist, awareness and accessibility remain major gaps.
The Need for Rongoaa and Kaupapa Maaori Options
Throughout the day, whaanau called for more access to mirimiri and rongoaa Maaori. There was a hunger for services that reflect maatauranga Māori and are grounded in whakapapa and whaanau values. One whaanau member, supporting a younger relative who had experienced a stroke, spoke of the lack of Maaori-led recovery options. Others expressed interest in alternatives to mainstream medication but didn’t know where to start. The desire for Maaori-led, whaanau-centric, culturally affirming care was one of the strongest themes to emerge. It aligns closely with the aspirations of Tainui’s Koiora strategy and the values Te Tiratū holds as we walk alongside whaanau and providers.
A Call to Honour Whaanau Voice in System Change
Tainui Hu-aa-Tau 2025 was more than an event — it was a collective pulse check on how the health system is serving our people. Whaanau were open, honest, and generous with their koorero. Their insights paint a clear picture of a system that needs to evolve, one that genuinely centres Whaanau Voice, upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and recognises hauora as a right, not a privilege. We are committed to carrying these voices forward — into our planning, our advocacy, and our partnership with Te Whatu Ora. We also mihi to Tainui iwi for their bold leadership and vision, and for the opportunity to stand together in kaupapa Maaori-led transformation. Te Tiratū will continue to listen and act — because when whaanau speak, the system must listen and respond.