Honouring our Kuini: A historic first regatta of celebration and connection
Photo: One of our Whānau Voice team in the brown Te Tiratū tee, Raven Torea with whānau completing our survey.
Our Whānau Voice team was proud to embody manaakitanga and whakawhanaungatanga at the historic first Tūrangawaewae Regatta hosted by Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā wai hono i te pō held on Saturday. This significant event in Ngāruawāhia on Te Awa o Waikato allowed us to connect with whānau, engage with an amazing rōpū of Māori providers, and raise awareness about Te Tiratū.
A Day of Connection and Insights
The regatta was buzzing with energy, and we were right in the heart of it sharing space alongside other hauora providers. With their seasoned experience at all sorts of community events across the motu, their mastery shone in with how they genuinely engage with whānau that we appreciated firsthand.
QR Codes: A Simple Way for Whānau to Have Their Say!
Between talking with whānau, handing out flyers, and having quick, meaningful kōrero, we juggled it all while writing up some in-depth surveys. Our bright new banner made it easy for whānau to find us, and they loved the custom QR code on our flyers—that instantly connects in one quick scan to our survey online which can be completed at a time that suits whānau.
Listening and Learning from Whānau
Whānau opened up about the struggles they face daily—long waits for urgent and planned healthcare, a serious lack of mental health support for tamariki, and paediatric services so stretched that appointments take months to secure. Rural communities feel the gap even more, with limited healthcare options adding to the challenge.
Finding safe, affordable housing remains an uphill battle, and for many, the dream of financial stability feels just out of reach. Job opportunities are scarce, and saving pūtea to secure a better future is often met with barriers beyond their control.
Many whānau shared that they simply don’t know where to turn for support, reinforcing the need for clearer, more accessible information about services that could help lighten the load.
Amidst these challenges, there is strong hope. The call for iwi-led, integrated health services is growing, with whānau seeing these as a pathway to better, more culturally grounded care. Key members of our hapori offered valuable insights, paving the way for solutions that are shaped by whānau, for whānau.
Acknowledgements
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the whānau that took the time to come inside our stall in the ‘hauora area’ to share their experiences, and kōrero about how we can work together for a better future. We look forward to continuing these conversations and driving meaningful change for our whānau and communities.
Ka mau te wehi! A great day, great learnings, and listening’s for Te Tiratua Iwi Māori Partnership Board.
Rangitāmiro Whānau Ora transition pānui
PANUI FOR WHĀNAU ORA PROVIDERS
IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU & TE TAI TOKERAU
Tuesday 24 March 2025, 6:00 PM
2 minutes to Read
Ko te aroha te taukaea rangitāmiro i a tātou ki a tātou.
Love and care is the thread that binds us all together.
Kia whakarongo ake au ki te tangi a te manu nei, tui, tui, tui tuia.
Tuia te herenga tangata, ka rongo te pō, ka rongo te ao.
Tuia te muka tangata i takea mai i Hawaiki, i te Hono-i-wairua, ki te whai ao ki te mārama.
E kore te puna aroha e mimiti ki te hunga nā rātou i toro i te nukuroa o te puna hauora i ngā tau kua hori. E kore e mōnehunehu te pūmahara ki tō koutou mana nui, tapu nui, mana tiketike. Kei tua o te moana uriuri ko te awatea e whiti mai ana, e ao ko te rangitāmirotanga o ngā tātai hikohiko, e ao ko te rangtiāmirotanga o ngā tātai whakapapa, mā te rangitāmiro i te muka tangata e torokaha ake ai!
‘Rangitāmiro’ is the twisting together of threads and fibres into one strong rope so that it becomes unbreakable. It metaphorically depicts the binding of lineage, the binding of love, the binding of thoughts and the binding of people.
Rangitāmiro is honoured to build on the strong foundations of the Whānau Ora commissioning collective who came before us and to look forward to working alongside you to continue the mahi of this important kaupapa.
Rangitāmiro is a collaborative made up of National Hauora Coalition, Ngaa Pou Hauora oo Taamaki Makaurau Iwi Maaori Partnership Board and Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board.
By intertwining the fibres of our people together, we are strengthened. Rangitāmiro is privileged to have the opportunity to embody these words of our tūpuna and strive forward with the ancient knowledge that there is no mana greater than the mana of looking after others – manaaki tangata.
As we prepare for this transition, our priority is to engage with you as a Whānau Ora provider to plan for the future of Whānau Ora together, to provide assurance, and continued support for whānau with the utmost integrity.
Rangitāmiro invites you to connect with us in the way that suits you best, either via email, ā-kōrero with our team, or at an online collective provider hui.
Please reply to rangitamiro@nhc.maori.nz with your preferred method of engagement by Friday 28th March, 3:00 pm so we can begin this transition together and answer any questions you may have. If you do not wish to engage with us, please also let us know.
To stay informed and receive general updates from Rangitāmiro, please visit rangitamiro.nz and subscribe.
Hei konā mai i roto i ngā mihi
Tokoroa whānau share healthcare struggles
Photo: Our Whānau Voice team in brown Te Tiratū tees, Megan Tunks and Raven Torea with the wahine of National Hauora Coalition in Tokoroa.
A lack of awareness about help they’re entitled to, long wait times, and difficulties with transport to appointments were among the pressing issues raised by whānau at the South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services Hauora Day, held at Tokoroa Hospital on Saturday. The event, attended by our Whānau Voice team, provided an opportunity to listen to the everyday challenges whānau face in accessing healthcare. They shared concerns about navigating the health system, securing appointments, and the impact of these barriers on their mental well-being.
Navigating the system: A major barrier
One of the most significant challenges whānau raised was the difficulty in understanding what health services they were entitled to and how to access them. Many expressed frustrations over a lack of clear information and support. Booking appointments was another common struggle, with urgent care often easier to access than planned visits. One kuia recalled her experience of seeking advice at a local clinic, only to be directed to an online consultation, which left her feeling unheard and confused.
Impact on mental health & emotional wellbeing
Mental health concerns, particularly for tamariki, were also a recurring theme in conversations. Whānau spoke about the anxiety children experience in emergency departments, the wait time and the stress of dealing with overburdened medical staff. Many lamented the loss of long-term relationships with family doctors, which they felt made healthcare visits these days feel less personal and more rushed. The time it takes to get in to see a GP created a major barrier to healthcare access for whānau, leaving many worried about getting the care they needed when they needed it.
Transport woes: A six-hour journey for healthcare
For kaumātua and those needing specialist care in Waikato, transport was a significant hurdle. Some whānau reported having to leave home at 5:30 AM for an 11:30 AM appointment which is a long day in hospital waiting where food and drinks are expensive, before returning home in the evening. The exhausting ordeal of accessing healthcare underscored the urgent need for better transport solutions.
Listening & learning from whānau
Throughout the day, our Te Tiratū team engaged with service providers, participated in iwi radio discussions, and gained deeper insights into the needs of the Tokoroa community. We are so grateful to all the whānau who took the time to share their whakaaro with us that is being shared with Te Whatu Ora. If you have whakaaro to share, we welcome your voice as we continue to understand and reflect the needs of our people in our regular reporting to Te Whatu Ora.
Rangitāmiro selected as preferred candidate for Whānau Ora commissioning across region 1
MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday 28 February 2025, 04:26 PM
2 minutes to Read
National Hauora Coalition, Ngaa Pou Hauora oo Taamaki Makaurau Iwi Maaori Partnership Board and Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board are proud to come together under the collaborative entity, Rangitāmiro as the preferred candidate for commissioning Whānau Ora region 1 across Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), and Waikato.
The vision set by Kahurangi (Dame) Tariana Turia echoes through our present and future aspirations for Whānau Ora, and we feel immensely privileged to carry out this kaupapa that contributes to fulfilling her legacy, backed by the recognition and confidence of Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK).
Rangitāmiro is honoured to have the opportunity to build on the strong foundations of the Whānau Ora commissioning collective who came before us and to continue the mahi of this important kaupapa alongside current and new providers.
As we embark on this haerenga, our collective expertise, knowledge, and reach in delivering equitable outcomes for our people will ensure that we uphold the aspirations of Whānau Ora for generations to come.
Rangitāmiro is firmly committed to realising the Whānau Ora vision of whānau achieving self-determined success.
As we enter the fi nal phase of the procurement process, we look forward to partnering with TPK to prepare for the commencement of commissioning services from 1 July 2025.
Once the contract is finalised, we will be in touch with providers. Our focus is on working with those who are in and closest to whānau—including iwi, community providers, and whānau—to help build and strengthen the Whānau Ora work already being undertaken and ensure whānau and hapori continue to be at the centre of this transition.
Please direct any media enquiries to: contact@rangitaamiro.nz.
Experts on why bowel cancer screening changes are a concern
Te Tiratū iwi Māori partnership board
Friday 28 February 2025, 04:26 PM
2 minutes to Read
Government plans to lower the age for free bowel cancer screening for all New Zealanders by “redirecting” money previously set aside to lower the age for Māori and Pasifika has been described as “disappointing”.
“Screening is an essential tool for prevention and early detection, and expanding access will definitely save lives,” co-chair Hagen Tautari said.
“However, what we don’t want is to leave our people who are high-risk behind as they face substantially poorer health outcomes. What we need is an easier diagnostic process that removes systemic barriers.”
Largest iwi Māori partnership board calls for Māori-focused equity in access
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board that serves 114,000 Māori in the Waikato rohe welcomes the Government’s decision to lower the eligibility age for free bowel cancer screening from 60 to 58 announced today.
“Screening is an essential tool for prevention and early detection, and expanding access will definitely save lives,” said Hagen Tautari, co-chair Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board.
“However, what we don’t want is to leave our people who are high-risk behind as they face substantially poorer health outcomes. What we need is an easier diagnostic process that removes systemic barriers.”
Published tested evidence shows that Māori are twice as likely to die from all types of cancer compared to non-Māori.
Research shows the rate of colorectal cancer diagnoses among young Māori under 50 years has increased by an average of 36 percent per decade.
In the rohe Te Tiratū operates Māori cancer numbers are some of the highest in the country.
Photo: Co-chairs of Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board Kataraina Hodge and Hagen Tautari
While Māori continue to face grave Māori health inequities and significantly lower cancer screening rates, Te Tiratū prioritises prevention as a fundamental step toward improving outcomes.
This adjustment in funding, which moves away from a previously targeted approach for Māori and Pacific communities discontinued in December, raises concerns about whether the expansion will effectively reach and benefit those most at risk.
Pae Tū, the Hauora Māori Strategy is currently being redesigned, following extensive public consultation. Te Tiratū expects it will reflect the needs and expectations of the region to better address the specific needs of Māori and ensure more effective, equitable health outcomes – access to screening being one of them.
Te Tiratū advocates strongly that cancer screening must be culturally appropriate and properly resourced to ensure Māori participation over a lifetime.
It acknowledges that the solutions lie in true partnership between the community and Te Whatu Ora. A prime example is the Taakiri Tuu Wellness and Diagnostic Centre, established in 2024 by Māori health provider Te Kōhao Health in a high-deprivation area, specifically designed to serve whānau Māori.
Kataraina Hodge, co-chair of Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, believes that without targeted strategies, partnerships in community and resourcing for high need populations existing disparities could be reinforced rather than reduced.
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board invites clear commitments by Te Whatu Ora to support:
• Resourcing Māori-led, community-driven promotion of screening.
• Accessible screening locations, particularly in rural areas where services are often out of reach for our whānau.
• Investment in workforce and resources to support increased demand without creating further barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment.
“Te Tiratū remains committed to advocating for hauora solutions that reflect the needs of our people. We urge the Government to engage with Hauora Māori providers and leaders to ensure that screening programmes deliver equitable outcomes—not just increased numbers,” Tautari said.
The Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board given their legislative responsibility under the Act monitor and represent local Māori perspectives on the design and delivery of services and public health interventions.
The Board represents the whānau of Pare Hauraki, Waikato, Raukawa, Te Nehenehenui, Ngāti Hāua (Taumarunui) and Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa from the localities of Waikato, Hauraki, Maniapoto, Raukawa, Ngāti Hāua.
Sources of Statistics:
Pg 49 Waitangi Tribunal Hauora Report
University of Otago 2024 Early onset cancer on the rise
Pg 17 Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board Hauora Priorities Summary Report
Pg 14 Waitangi Tribunal Hautupua Report
Achieving progress & collaboration regionally with Te Manawa Taki IMPB collective
Te Tiratū IMPB hosted the Te Manawa Taki Iwi Māori Partnership Board collective regional hui in Kirikiriroa in February, with six IMPBs participating: Te Tiratū, Toitu Tairāwhiti, Te Moana a Toi, Te Taura Ora o Waiariki, Tūwharetoa, and Te Pūnanga Ora. Presentations included updates from each board, discussions on data platforms, data-sharing agreements, data sovereignty, cyber security and building capacity in data governance. A Pharmac senior executive and Board member explained its role in the health system, its approach to pharmaceutical supply and prioritisation, and the need for earlier engagement with Māori in the decision-making process. Toitu Te Waiora presented on employment training outlining its ongoing work with Māori and Pasifika communities to ensure diverse voices are represented in workforce development. Te Whatu Ora Hauora Māori kaimahi provided a detailed update on the health system’s current status, focus on cost-saving measures, structural changes, and the current review of Pae Tū: Hauora Māori Strategy. They highlighted the appointment of new CEOs and a 12-month task force aimed at improving clinical safety to address regional challenges, particularly in Tairāwhiti and Whakatāne. Moving forward, there is a focus on strengthening governance, enhancing data transparency, and ensuring the sustainability of Māori health priorities within both regional and national health strategies.
Photos from Left to right: Trevor Simpson, Kaituruki Māori Director Māori, Pharmac with Te Tumu Whakarae of Te Tiratū, Brandi Hudson, Te Manawa Taki IMPB collective in session, Selah Hart, Maiaka Hapori Deputy Chief Executive, Public and Population Health, Te Whatu Ora.
Uniting nationally to strengthen Māori Health outcomes
In January 2025, Te Tiratū IMPB joined Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) from across the motu at a national hui convened by Te Taumata Hauora o Te Kahu o Taonui – Te Tai Tokerau IMPB in Tāmaki Makaurau. This kaupapa focused on whakawhanaungatanga, sharing regional priorities, and strengthening governance strategies to ensure collective impact. A key highlight was the demonstration of data mapping by Health Quality and Safety Commission engaged by Āti Awa Toa Hauora, showcasing how data-driven insights can identify inequities and inform strategic health planning and policy design.The hui reinforced the importance of kotahitanga in governance, operational planning, and advocacy, particularly in a shifting political landscape. IMPBs together appreciate the strength of their unified voice to influence health policies, secure sustainable funding and aligning national and regional priorities to drive better health outcomes for whānau. With a focus on equity and Māori-led solutions, the discussions set the foundation for strategic collaborations, improved data-sharing agreements, and targeted health initiatives that put whānau at the centre. Te Tiratū will continue to engage with key stakeholders, advocate for systemic change, and amplify the voices of our rohe in shaping a stronger, more responsive health system.
Photo: Co-chair Hagen Tautari with our board member Kataraina Hodge viewing data sets by the Health Quality and Safety Commission.