Providers from across the Tainui waka rohe gathered at our quarterly Stakeholder Forum today, laying bare the frontline reality. Rising demand, increasing complexity, and whānau carrying the strain of a system under pressure.
Thirty-two representatives spanning iwi, hauora, and community services from organisations such as ĀKI Innovations, Waikato-Tainui, Ngā Miro Health, Te Hauora o Ngāti Hāua, Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa, Raukawa, Maniapoto Marae Pact Trust, Waiariki Whānau Mentoring Trust, Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust, Pinnacle PHO, Hauraki PHO, Kokiri Hauora, Waahi Whānau, Rangitāmiro Whānau ora Commissioning Agency, and Raukura Hauora o Tainui stood alongside Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board to share what is happening on the ground and what must change.
What emerged was a clear and consistent message. Providers are doing the work, but the system is not keeping pace.
Questions were raised about the impact of ongoing system changes, including shifts in Hauora Māori Advisory Committee and funding uncertainty, and what this means for continuity of care. Providers signalled strong interest in the soon to be released town-by-town Hauora reports by Te Tiratū and the development of a data dashboard. Tools that can better surface where pressure is building and support more targeted, timely responses.
Frontline voices anchored the kōrero. Waata Heathcote of Waiariki Whānau Mentoring Trust, alongside his team, spoke directly to the realities facing Ngāi Toko Matua whānau, those living on the fringes, often only visible when crisis hits. Mike’s kōrero, “Enemy to Inner Me,” captured the lived journey of transformation, and the depth of trust and consistency required to walk alongside whānau in meaningful ways.
Raukura Hauora o Tainui reinforced the need for long-term, relationship-based approaches, particularly for whānau carrying histories of disconnection and broken trust. Their message was unequivocal: short-term, fragmented responses will not deliver lasting change. Investment must match the reality of the work. Grounded in whakapapa, strength, and sustained engagement.
Rangitāmiro Whānau ora Commissioning Agency engaged directly with providers on key areas including emergency support, workforce development, and the role of data. The forum created a critical space to align Whānau Voice with service delivery, highlighting where collective action is needed and where gaps remain.
Across the room, the message was unified. Providers are holding the line for whānau, often absorbing increasing pressure without the backing of a coordinated system response. This is not sustainable.
What is needed now is not more fragmentation, but alignment. Not short-term fixes, but long-term commitment. A system that invests earlier, listens deeply, and strengthens what is already working in our communities.