Photo: Amit Prasad, Justin Butcher, Glen Tupuhi co-chair Te Tiratū, Brandi Hudson Tumu Whakarae Te Tiratū and kaimahi Rawiri Blundell and Koro Samuels
With a shared commitment to improving Māori health, Te Tiratū Co-Chair and Tumu Whakarae met with Pinnacle Primary Health Organisation leaders Amit Prasad, Justin Butcher, and kaimahi Rawiri Blundell and Koro Samuels to strengthen collaboration on primary care in Waikato.
The kōrero emphasised the importance of all PHOs and Te Whatu Ora working together, particularly by aligning how health data is collected and reported, so decisions are based on accurate, timely information that truly reflects Māori communities at both regional and local levels.
Pinnacle PHO supported our Position Statements and concerns about vaping and its long-term impact on rangatahi and whānau, the critical role of school nurses in proactive healthcare, and the particular challenges faced by rural communities.
There was unanimous agreement that the high number of unenrolled Māori, and those enrolled but not receiving regular health checks or screenings, is an urgent issue that must be addressed collaboratively.
The discussion also highlighted shared pressures in the primary care workforce and the need for sustainable funding solutions. Expanding nurse-led models of care, including mobile services and workplace health checks, was seen as a practical way to reach Māori men and whānau, help address GP shortages, and reduce wait times for appointments.
Strengthening the link between primary care and specialist services was recognised as essential for managing long-term conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, mental health, and gout, particularly improving access to prescribed medications. Greater use of Nurse Prescribers was identified as a key way to tackle this pressing equity challenge.
Both organisations acknowledged the importance of supporting whānau to navigate modifiable behaviours, including nutrition, exercise, alcohol use, smoking, and vaping, while ensuring health education resonates with young Māori.
They also recognised that many whānau cannot afford expensive healthy food options, and that solutions must be practical, affordable, and grounded in the lived experience of Māori communities. Lifting immunisation rates remains a shared priority, with a clear focus on closing Māori equity gaps before broader population initiatives.
To maintain momentum and deepen the partnership, a Board-to-Board hui will be scheduled in the New Year. This meeting will advance collaborative work on health data, strengthen advocacy, and guide future investment and planning to achieve better health outcomes for Māori across the Waikato.