Te Aka Whai Ora may be gone, but the lessons remain. (Design: Tina Tiller).
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board member Dr Mataroria Lyndon reflects on the enduring importance of Māori leadership in hauora Māori following the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority.
In his opinion piece for The Spinoff, Mataroria shares his reflections as a founding board member of Te Aka Whai Ora and considers the lessons from its short but significant journey.
He writes that while the organisation may have ended, the kaupapa of Māori decision-making, equity and whānau-centred health transformation continues through iwi Māori partnership boards, Whānau Ora commissioning agencies, Māori health providers and communities.
Mataroria says the future of hauora Māori must be built on enduring Māori leadership, strong partnerships and decisions made closer to whānau and communities.