Our Whānau Voice kaimahi attended a community hui at Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga, hosted by Matawhaanui Trust to kōrero about common health challenges affecting tamariki and whānau, with a special focus on skin conditions.
It was a packed and uplifting session, bringing together whānau, nurses, paediatricians, rongoā practitioners and other health professionals who shared their knowledge and practical advice. Among those present were Nurse Practitioner Justina Leaf, CEO of Matawhaanui Trust Joyce Maipi and her whānau, Julia from Sexual Health Waikato, and three paediatricians from the ARROW childhood wheeze trial, Dr Cameron Bennett, Dr Owen Sinclair, and Dr Te Aro Moxon.
The kōrero centred on simple, practical ways to support whānau managing skin issues like eczema and scabies. Dr Owen Sinclair reminded those gathered not to be too hard on themselves, saying the problem is the eczema, not the child. He emphasised that mindset matters, and that parents should not feel blame but instead focus on gentle, consistent care.
Dr Cameron Bennett spoke about the importance of rest, as sleep gives the body time to fight infection, and also shared tips around salt baths, soaked dressings, and managing infections that can complicate skin conditions. Others suggested checking whether soaps or food such as cow’s milk might be contributing to irritation.
For some whānau, cost can be a barrier, and affordable options like adding a teaspoon of Janola to the bath were discussed as simple ways to disinfect the skin when used safely. Parents were also encouraged to make sure that kōhanga or preschools are aware if tamariki have hot or red skin, so early help can be found.
Dr Te Aro Moxon, who works both as a community paediatrician and general physician, spoke about the need to strengthen the link between hospital-based care and the support available in communities. The hui also highlighted the barriers that many whānau face in accessing healthcare, from the cost of travel to Hamilton, to issues of trust, affordability, and feeling heard.
Joyce Maipi, shared a heartfelt story about a young wahine from the community who passed away at just 38 years old from breast cancer that was detected too late. She spoke of her legacy as a reminder to all wāhine to get screened early, noting that the Breast Screening Aotearoa mobile unit is currently parked outside Huntly Woolworths.
Justina Leaf acknowledged that this was the first face-to-face forum held in some time and thanked those who travelled down from Auckland to attend. She shared examples of the manaaki shown by Matawhaanui’s team, from staying on late to help a koro with heart issues, to supporting another with nicotine patches that helped him give up smoking and improve his health. These small but powerful acts of care, she said, are what make the difference for whānau.
Rongoā healers from Te Puna Ora also attended, sharing their mirimiri and natural health knowledge. Julia from Sexual Health Services (formerly Family Planning) spoke about the importance of HPV vaccination and the rising rates of syphilis, encouraging whānau to get checked and treated, especially for the health of unborn pēpi. Rangatahi were also present including nieces and nephews brought along by their aunties and uncles and their participation was warmly acknowledged as a positive sign of intergenerational learning in action.
The hui ended with Ursula from the Electoral Commission encouraging everyone to make their voices count in the upcoming election. For whānau wanting trusted information and support, the KidsHealth website was recommended as a valuable resource for parents, alongside the ARROW study site and the Paediatric Society’s equity commitment page.
It was a powerful and timely reminder that hauora begins at home with aroha, rest, and simple, practical care. By bringing together community voices, health professionals and researchers, gatherings like this help bridge the space between hospitals and homes, between science and rongoā, and between whānau and wellbeing.