Rangatahi Māori mental health in rural Waikato is in crisis
MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday 23 September 2025, 4:00 PM
2 minutes to Read
Despite the government’s ambitious July 2024 mental health and addiction targets, rangatahi Māori in rural Waikato are falling through the cracks. Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand data with evidence from Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board and local whānau voices shows that services are under-resourced, overstretched, and failing to meet the standards set by the government to monitor of health system performance by the Ministry.
National government targets include:
- Faster access to services: 80% of individuals to reach primary mental health and addiction services within one week, and mental health specialist services within three weeks.
- Emergency department efficiency: 95% of mental health-related ED presentations admitted, discharged, or transferred within six hours.
- Workforce development: Train 500 new mental health professionals annually.
- Prevention and early intervention: Allocate 25% of mental health funding to prevention.
Reality on the ground in rural Waikato:
- Over 200 tamariki/rangatahi have open referrals, with waitlists rising steadily since 2023 including 10 per month waiting for ADHD assessments and 21 for other mental health services.
- Frequent crises: Average of 10 crisis contact days per month, with 79 under-25s admitted to Henry Rongomai Bennett Centre since 2021 (average stay 14 days).
- Rural workforce gaps: Schools and providers rely on Police, St John, and Women’s Refuge to manage crises, far beyond their scope. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors are largely unavailable locally.
- Prevention funding gaps: Iwi- and whānau-led programmes like Hauora Waikato, Te Awhi Whānau, and Puāwai Project are underfunded despite proven success in building resilience and wellbeing.
“Our rangatahi are simply falling through the cracks,” says Brandi Hudson, Te Tumu Whakarae of Te Tiratū IMPB.
“The government has set clear targets, yet in rural Māori communities we are seeing long waits, repeated crises, and preventable hospitalisations. Immediate, targeted, and culturally grounded investment is not optional, it is urgent. I will be raising these issues directly with Minister Doocey when he visits Te Kūiti on Wednesday as part of his Rural Roadshow.”
Te Tiratū is calling on the government to prioritise early intervention and prevention for rural Māori youth, expand workforce capacity in King Country and other rural areas, fully resource iwi- and whānau-led programmes that are already proving effective, and ensure funding reaches the communities most at risk, not just metropolitan centres.
Without urgent action, the mental health crisis among rangatahi Māori will worsen, with devastating long-term consequences for whānau, communities, and the health system.
The Te Tiratū Iwi Maori Partnership Board represents the interests of 121,000 whānau Māori in the Tainui waka rohe and encompasses iwi from Waikato, Pare Hauraki, Raukawa, Te Nehenehenui (Maniapoto), Ngāti Hāua (Taumarunui), and Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa (Mātāwaka).
Minister Doocey will be at the Les Munro Centre in Te Kūiti for the Rural Roadshow from 12pm-1.30pm tomorrow.
Our strong warning that rangatahi Māori in rural Waikato are facing a mental health crisis.
Read the statistics Te Tiratū has gathered specifically for our Tainui waka rohe.
Glen Tupuhi appointed Co-Chair of Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board
MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday 23 September 2025, 9:00 AM
2 minutes to Read
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board (IMPB) representing 121,000 whānau across the Tainui waka region and one of the largest of the 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards established under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act is pleased to announce the appointment of Glen Tupuhi as Co-Chair.
He replaces Hagen Tautari, who has provided strong leadership and guidance governing to date. Tipa Mahuta, current Co-Chair, expressed her gratitude for Hagen’s service.
“On behalf of Te Tiratū IMPB, we sincerely thank Hagen Tautari for his dedication and commitment to the kaupapa, our whānau, and the wider Māori community. We are delighted to acknowledge Glen Tupuhi as our new Co-Chair and look forward to his leadership in guiding the Board forward,” she said.
From his time as chair of the Murihiku Māori Health Committee of the Southland Area Health Board in the mid 1980’s Glen brings over 35 years of governance experience across the Māori development, health, education, and justice sectors. His extensive background includes Iwi Hapuu Marae leadership roles as well as managerial roles in Oranga Tamariki, Corrections, Health Waikato, Hauora Waikato, and Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa. He has also served on the Auckland Council Independent Māori Statutory Board and the Māori Economic Development Panel.
Currently, he holds multiple governance roles, including:
- Independent Director, Winton Lands Ltd
- Board Member, Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki and the Hauraki PHO
- Chair, Hauraki Localities Alliance
- Until recently Trustee of Ecoquest Education Foundation PTE and chair, Ngaa Muka Development Trust
A seasoned leader in integrating cultural perspectives with commercial decision-making, as chair of Ngaa Muka Glen has successfully guided iwi partnerships in projects across North Waikato such as Cobb Vantress chicken breeding plant, Lakeside development in Te Kauwhata and the initial establishment of the Sleepyhead Estate at Ohinewai, a $1.2 billion mixed-use industrial and residential development in North Waikato.
Glen’s iwi affiliations include Ngāti Pāoa ki Waiheke, Tamaki Makaurau, Hauraki, Waikato, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Naho o Waikato, Ngāti Rangimahora, and Ngāti Apakura. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, strategic oversight, and creating sustainable opportunities for whānau and communities.
In addition to his professional and governance work, Glen continues to support whānau trusts and philanthropic initiatives, including the Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation, fostering system-level change for communities and the environment in Aotearoa.
His appointment reflects Te Tiratū IMPB’s ongoing commitment to strong, culturally-informed governance, and the Board looks forward to the expertise, guidance, and leadership he will bring in advancing the aspirations of iwi and whānau across the region.
The Board encompasses iwi from:
- Waikato
- Pare Hauraki
- Raukawa
- Te Nehenehenui (Maniapoto)
- Ngāti Hāua (Taumarunui)
- Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa (Mātāwaka)
Proposed Pae Ora reforms lack evidence & crown’s Te Tiriti partnership with iwi non-negotiable
MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday 1 September 2025, 8:00 AM
2 minutes to Read
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board (IMPB), representing over 121,000 Māori across the greater Waikato region, will present its submission opposing proposed changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act on Wednesday 3 September at 1.00pm.
One of fifteen Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards across Aotearoa, Te Tiratū stands united against proposed Pae Ora changes that would strip Te Tiriti protections, curb Māori decision-making, and deepen health inequities.
The Board warns that altering the roles and functions of IMPBs under Section 30 would undermine the Government’s commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, and meaningful Māori participation in health decision-making.
“Our leadership, knowledge, and influence are already delivering tangible results for whānau Māori,” said Co- Chair Tipa Mahuta. “The proposed reforms are not supported by evidence or Māori health data and risk reversing progress on improving outcomes for our communities.”
Te Tiratū highlights that IMPBs play a critical role in local and regional health planning, monitoring, and prioritisation, ensuring Māori voices and mātauranga Māori are central to decisions. Through initiatives such as the Community Health Plan and ongoing monitoring reports, IMPBs provide actionable insights to Health NZ and other agencies to drive better outcomes and stronger returns on taxpayer investment.
The Board points to decades of Māori-led success in health services, including the rapid and effective COVID-19 response, demonstrating that locally-led, iwi-driven solutions outperform traditional government approaches. Yet, Māori health inequities persist, with ongoing gaps in cancer screening, access to primary care, and chronic disease management. IMPBs are uniquely positioned to be the circuit-breaker to these long-standing disparities.
Te Tiratū also notes that the Government’s broader economic goals, including the “Going for Growth” Māori economic strategy, depend on healthy, supported whānau. IMPBs, if empowered, can drive innovation, workforce development, and local investment in health infrastructure, further supporting Māori economic growth.
“The Crown’s duty to partner with iwi under Te Tiriti o Waitangi is non-negotiable,” said Mahuta. “IMPBs must retain their legislated functions. Removing or diminishing our role risks repeating decades of systemic failure and wasted taxpayer resources.”
Te Tiratū urges the Minister of Health and Government to uphold Section 30 of the Pae Ora Act, ensuring IMPBs continue to lead, influence, and transform Māori health outcomes.
Iwi Māori Partnership Boards concerned their role minimised under Pae Ora Act changes
Photo: Te Manawa Taki IMPB collective member, Te Taura Ora o Waiariki Chair Hingatu Thompson
RNZ reports about the unified stance of all 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) coming together in Taranaki for a two-day National Hui, expressing concern that proposed changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act would diminish their role in New Zealand’s health system. Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board shares this opposition, highlighting that local, iwi-led decision-making and accountability are essential to improving Māori health outcomes.
Leaders at the hui said that the proposed amendments risk silencing Māori voices, removing direct iwi oversight, and limiting the ability to deliver whānau-centred health solutions. IMPBs were established under Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles to ensure Māori engagement with the Crown, guide local health strategies, and address systemic inequities such as lower life expectancy and poorer outcomes for Māori.
The hui highlighted concerns over four key areas: maintaining Te Tiriti protections in legislation, ensuring the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee is accountable to iwi, retaining a Māori health strategy, and preserving the critical role of IMPBs in regional health planning. Te Tiratū reinforced that strong local partnerships and culturally responsive approaches are vital to achieving equity and improving Māori health.
Iwi Māori partnership boards unite to oppose changes to health legislation
Photo: Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board Co-chair Hagen Tautari
Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) from across Aotearoa are standing together to oppose proposed amendments to the Pae Ora Act, raising concerns that the changes would weaken their statutory role and reduce Māori oversight in the health system. The fifteen boards, representing over 900,000 Māori, are meeting in New Plymouth for the first time since the Bill’s first reading to build a unified national voice, safeguard local accountability, and ensure health services remain responsive to whānau needs. The hui and the boards’ stance have been covered by 1News/Te Karere highlighting the nationwide concern that these changes could undermine decades of partnership work and progress in Māori health equity.
Iwi Māori partnership boards unite to oppose changes to health legislation
The stance of Te Tiratū as part of a national alliance of 15 IMPBs united in opposition to proposed amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act has been covered by Te Karere, highlighting the national conversation around Māori leadership in health.
The national collective warns that the changes would weaken Te Tiriti-based partnerships and threaten Māori health equity. The National IMPB Hui in New Plymouth attracted representatives from 82 iwi, representing the interests of over 900,000 Māori. Rangatahi attendees highlighted the links between hauora, whakapapa, and whenua, reinforcing the need for health solutions that integrate ancestral knowledge with modern systems.
A Te Tiratū spokesperson emphasised that IMPBs must remain active partners in shaping local and regional health strategies, including targeted Māori equity actions, and that any amendments undermining Te Tiriti principles must be opposed.
Our nationwide stand with all IMPBs against proposed Pae Ora Bill changes
Photo: Board member Maxine Ketu and e Tiratū Tumu Whakarae, Brandi Hudson attend the National IMPB Hui in New Plymouth
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board (IMPB), as part of a national alliance of 15 IMPBs, opposes the proposed amendments to the Pae Ora Act, warning that the changes would weaken Te Tiriti-based partnerships and undermine progress in Māori health equity.
At a recent National IMPB Hui in New Plymouth, 15 IMPBs representing 914,400 Māori from 82 iwi aligned in opposition to the Bill. The discussions highlighted the critical importance of maintaining partnerships that are rooted in trust, respect, and intergenerational thinking, ensuring solutions are anchored in mātauranga Māori and the realities of whānau.
The hui included rangatahi voices emphasising the deep connections between hauora, whakapapa, and whenua. Their presentations stressed the need for health approaches that integrate ancestral knowledge with modern, data-driven health systems. This interweaving of the old and the new highlighted the value of locally led solutions that resonate with whānau and communities.
Te Tiratū IMPB asserts that the proposed changes would remove direct iwi accountability, replacing kanohi ki te kanohi relationships with a centralised, Minister-appointed process. This approach risks tokenistic consultation rather than genuine Māori leadership, and threatens the hard-won equity gains achieved by IMPBs over the past decade.
The Board’s position is clear: local accountability through IMPBs must remain, regional advice to Te Whatu Ora must be strengthened, and health strategies must include specific Māori equity actions. Any amendments that weaken or replace Te Tiriti principles are opposed.
Te Tiratū IMPB submitted its formal response to the Health Committee on 18 August 2025, supporting a unified IMPB call to:
- Retain HMAC accountability to iwi through IMPBs
- Strengthen IMPB roles for local and regional advice to Te Whatu Ora
- Develop health strategies with targeted Māori equity actions
- Oppose amendments that undermine Te Tiriti principles
Our Board emphasises that this is about safeguarding the right to lead local solutions for Māori communities. Analysis shows the proposed changes are unlikely to improve Māori health outcomes, reinforcing the need to maintain systems that are already showing results.
Te Tiratū IMPB remains committed to advocating for whānau-centred health solutions and ensuring Māori voices remain central in shaping Aotearoa’s health system.
Māori leaders oppose Pae Ora health reforms
Photo: Te Manawa Taki IMPB collective member, Tūwharetoa Iwi Māori Partnership Board Chair Louisa Wall at the National IMPB hui
All 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) gathered in Taranaki to oppose proposed amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act, warning the changes would significantly reduce their role, including removing critical monitoring powers. Louisa Wall, Chair of Tūwharetoa Toa IMPB, when interviewed by HeraldNOW, explained that IMPBs were created following the Waitangi Tribunal’s 2019 recommendation and the Simpson Review to address systemic inequities, including institutional racism, and to ensure Māori voices shape health services.
Wall said that Māori often access healthcare too late, and IMPBs are uniquely positioned to support preventative initiatives, immunizations, and screenings through a Māori, rural, disability, and patient-centered lens. She criticized the government’s move to shift authority to the Minister-appointed Hauora Māori Advisory Committee, saying it cuts iwi and hapū out of decision-making and undermines the partnerships that are essential for transforming the health system and improving equity for all New Zealanders.
What whaanau told us at Tainui Hui-aa-Tau
Photo: Whaaea Audrey Wildermott, Ngaati Koroki Kahukura with Whaanau Voice kaimahi
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board was honoured to attend Tainui Hui-aa-Tau 2025, hosted by Tainui iwi walking in the steps of their visionary Koiora strategy. This aspirational kaupapa brought together thousands of uri and providers across the motu to connect, share, and strengthen collective oranga.
We were there by invitation to support Whaanau Voice and deepen our understanding of how the Koiora Collective and Te Tiratū fit within the wider ecosystem of Māori health and wellbeing. While our original focus was on promoting our Oranga Survey the day quickly turned into something more — a space for heartfelt koorero and deep listening.
What we heard was despite government targets focused on faster cancer treatment, shorter ED stays, improved immunisation, and reduced wait times for specialist and elective care, whaanau at Tainui Hu-a-Tau described a system that remains slow, hard to access, is culturally disconnected, and difficult to navigate — especially for whaanau seeking kaupapa Maaori services and timely, affordable care.
Whaanau Voice Leads the Way
Our space at Hui-aa-Tau was a hive of activity, filled with whānau keen to share their experiences and insights about accessing healthcare. Many whaanau wanted to koorero at length, reflecting a widespread desire to be heard. Primary care was a consistent topic. Whānau spoke about long GP wait times, often up to four weeks, difficulty enrolling at kaupapa Maaori clinics due to capped rolls, and the frustration of not being able to see the same doctor for continuity of care. Many whaanau living rurally shared feelings of isolation from healthcare, relying on transport support from whaanau, iwi or local services. For those who could afford it, urgent care was preferred over long waits at emergency departments, but even this came with financial strain.
The Strain of Financial Pressure
Cost was a major barrier. Whaanau shared stories of having to choose between kai and seeing a doctor. Prescriptions added another burden. Even if a whaanau member managed to secure an appointment, the costs didn’t end there. Some spoke of giving up altogether — delaying care or avoiding it until it became urgent. Many whaanau weren’t enrolled with a GP at all. Some had been trying to enrol with kaupapa Maaori services but were turned away due to capacity limits. Several questioned why non-Maaori were enrolled in Maaori-specific services when they, as tangata whenua, were being declined. There was deep mamae in these koorero, and a desire for a fairer, more culturally grounded system.
The Challenge of Health Literacy for Kaumatua
Kaumatua shared personal journeys of navigating health conditions and the system without proper explanations or support. One kaumatua described an 18-month journey to get assistance to help manage his diabetes to get it under control which is a long time to be mauiui. Others expressed confusion around medication or what services were available to them. Many didn’t know where to go or how to ask for help, and several mentioned feeling whakamaa about not understanding their conditions. The language barrier was another big one, where whaanau are not able to understand a lot of different accents by non-Maaori health practitioners, they feel there is a lack of cultural safety too. For kaumatua living rurally, transport remains another major barrier. Many said that it was much easier for them to go to their local marae that was close. Many rely on once-a-week iwi transport or local hauora hubs that have now been scaled back due to funding cuts. In some areas, services that once operated five days a week now open for just one — creating high demand and limiting access.
Mental Health in Crisis
Mental health was another area of concern. Many who spoke were supporting a sibling, cousin or other whaanau member. The main issue raised was the lack of support available before a person reaches crisis or hospitalisation. Henry Bennett Centre came up repeatedly — described as difficult to deal with, lacking cultural safety, and disconnected from whaanau. Whaanau described not being informed about loved ones’ care, feeling shut out of the process, and being left to advocate for their whaanau without support.
There was a strong call for mental health services that are proactive, culturally safe, and easy to navigate. Many felt stuck trying to get help for their whaanau and repeatedly faced barriers in the process.
The Hidden Gaps in Women’s Health
A number of wahine raised concerns about the lack of accessible information around menopause. They described debilitating symptoms and feeling unsupported or dismissed. Some were surprised to learn just how little was publicly available in terms of education and care. The koorero made it clear that more kaupapa Maaori women’s health services are needed — both in delivery and in design.
Hearing Loss, Delayed Care and Advocacy
Hearing support was another unexpected but prominent theme. Many whaanau attending the hui wore hearing aids, yet no hearing-focused service was present. One kaumatua, a veteran of the New Zealand Army, shared that it took years to realise the extent of his hearing loss. Another wahine described the two-year process of trying to get care for her daughter — eventually only made possible with the help of a Maaori advocate. For these whaanau, accessing support required determination, energy, and navigating complex systems. Funding options, eligibility, and appointment access created further layers of stress. Even for tamariki, care was delayed — sometimes for years. While support grants like the kaumatua hearing aid fund exist, awareness and accessibility remain major gaps.
The Need for Rongoaa and Kaupapa Maaori Options
Throughout the day, whaanau called for more access to mirimiri and rongoaa Maaori. There was a hunger for services that reflect maatauranga Māori and are grounded in whakapapa and whaanau values. One whaanau member, supporting a younger relative who had experienced a stroke, spoke of the lack of Maaori-led recovery options. Others expressed interest in alternatives to mainstream medication but didn’t know where to start. The desire for Maaori-led, whaanau-centric, culturally affirming care was one of the strongest themes to emerge. It aligns closely with the aspirations of Tainui’s Koiora strategy and the values Te Tiratū holds as we walk alongside whaanau and providers.
A Call to Honour Whaanau Voice in System Change
Tainui Hu-aa-Tau 2025 was more than an event — it was a collective pulse check on how the health system is serving our people. Whaanau were open, honest, and generous with their koorero. Their insights paint a clear picture of a system that needs to evolve, one that genuinely centres Whaanau Voice, upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and recognises hauora as a right, not a privilege. We are committed to carrying these voices forward — into our planning, our advocacy, and our partnership with Te Whatu Ora. We also mihi to Tainui iwi for their bold leadership and vision, and for the opportunity to stand together in kaupapa Maaori-led transformation. Te Tiratū will continue to listen and act — because when whaanau speak, the system must listen and respond.
"Kāore e taea te whakamāhara i tēnei wā” – Kura rata hou ki Waikato
Kua whakaaetia e te kāwanatanga he pūtea mō tētahi kura rata hōu ki Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, ka whakatūria hai te tau 2028.
Ka whakangungua e tēnei kura ngā rata hōu mō ngā hapori tuawhenua me ngā rohe kāore i te pātata ki ngā ratonga hauora.
Hai tā te Tiamana takirua i te Poari o Te Tiratu, e ai ki a Hagen Tautari, ko te mahi mā Te Tiratu ki te kura rata ko te whakatō i ngā wāriu Māori hai pae ārahi i ngā whakahaerenga katoa, mā reira e ū ai te kura ki ngā mātāpono o te ao Māori.