King Country News has featured the first ever Te Kūiti Hauora Report by Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, highlighting the growing pressure on rural health services across the wider district.
The 48-page report examines the health needs of Te Kūiti and surrounding communities, finding that local providers are carrying increasing demand for GP services, maternity care, dental services and chronic disease management while supporting a predominantly rural population.
Drawing on community voices and local health data, the report identifies barriers including workforce shortages, transport, cost, childcare and limited appointment availability, all of which can delay access to healthcare. It calls for sustained investment in primary care, stable maternity services, expanded dental care, more specialist outreach clinics, improved rural transport and stronger kaupapa Māori services and whānau navigation.
Te Tiratū IMPB says practical, locally led investment is essential to ensure whānau can access timely care closer to home and reduce avoidable hospital admissions. The report also recommends that Ngāti Maniapoto be recognised as a partner in the design and delivery of health services to achieve better health outcomes for whānau across the King Country.