Cultural safety must be owned by the whole system, Medical Council told
Our Board member, clinician and Senior Lecturer in Medical Education at the University of Auckland, Dr Mataroria Lyndon says new draft guidance from the Medical Council of New Zealand is an important step forward for the health system, but it must go further to truly deliver for whānau.
In his submission filed today responding to the Council’s work on cultural competence, cultural safety, and hauora Māori, he described it as timely and a clear signal of commitment to improving equity and strengthening expectations for culturally safe medical practice.
He says the Council should be commended for advancing this work while also noting there is a significant opportunity to more fully express what cultural safety means in Aotearoa and why it matters.
Cultural safety must go further
Cultural safety was developed in this country as a response to inequity and to address racism, bias, and power imbalances in the health system. Dr Lyndon believes it must remain grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, and the redistribution of power. Without that depth, there is a risk it becomes reduced to a technical competency rather than the transformative framework it was intended to be.
He explains that cultural competence and cultural safety are not the same. Cultural competence is about the skills and knowledge of a clinician, while cultural safety is defined by the experience of patients and whānau. That means only whānau can determine whether care felt safe. The shift is not just about improving behaviour but about changing relationships and power so people feel respected, heard, and able to participate in decisions about their own care.
Dr Lyndon also points to new guidance from the Nursing Council of New Zealand, saying it is more progressive in how it clearly names racism, centres equity, and grounds cultural safety in Te Tiriti. He says this shows what is possible and provides a strong foundation for alignment across the health sector.
A key concern raised in his submission is that the current draft focuses too heavily on individual clinicians. While self-reflection and awareness are important, they are not enough to address deeper drivers of inequity such as institutional bias and system level barriers. Dr Lyndon says cultural safety must be owned by the whole system including organisations and leadership, not just individuals.
What this means for whānau
He also calls for stronger accountability so cultural safety is not only reflected on by practitioners, but a measurement of whānau experience and health outcomes. What matters most is whether people feel safe and whether equity is improving.
On hauora Māori, Dr Lyndon supports the draft statement and says it appropriately centres Māori health, acknowledges colonisation, and recognises the right to equity and self-determination. He also sees an opportunity to strengthen the focus on Māori led solutions, system accountability, and whānau centred care that looks beyond immediate treatment to long term and intergenerational wellbeing.
For whānau, this work is about being able to access care without fear, being listened to, and having their knowledge and lived experience valued. Dr Lyndon says the direction is right and the intent is strong, but this is a moment to go further so Aotearoa can build a health system that truly delivers for Māori and for all whānau.
Taking a stand on vaping – Protect our rangatahi
Vaping is an issue that is affecting too many rangatahi across Aotearoa.
Our priority is the health and wellbeing of whānau, and that includes protecting tamariki and rangatahi from preventable harm. We know that the best outcome for respiratory health is to live both smokefree and vapefree, and we fully support the position of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ on this.
While vaping, alongside strong quit-smoking support, may help some people stop using tobacco, the current environment is not striking the right balance, and far too many young people are being exposed to and taking up vaping. This is not acceptable, and our hapori are already seeing the consequences.
We recognise that vaping can play a role as a quit-smoking tool when combined with wraparound support, and we understand the Ministry of Health’s challenge in balancing access for adults who want to quit tobacco with the need to protect rangatahi and non-smokers. But that balance is currently off, and the health of our rangatahi is at risk.
Te Tiratū IMPB supports stronger regulation to reduce harm and protect future generations. We back calls to reduce maximum nicotine concentrations to 20mg/ml, in line with international best practice, to lower the risk of addiction. We support stronger enforcement of existing rules so that rangatahi cannot easily access vaping products, with meaningful penalties for those who break the law.
We also call for limiting the number and location of vape retailers, keeping them away from schools and kura, and closing loopholes that allow dairies and convenience stores to operate as specialist vaping retailers.
We welcome recent Government proposals to tighten restrictions, but more needs to be done, and done urgently. Our communities have already experienced the harms of widely available addictive products, and we cannot allow vaping to follow the same path.
Te Tiratū IMPB stands with the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation in calling for decisive action that prioritises rangatahi, strengthens whānau wellbeing, and creates a truly smokefree and vapefree future.
We will continue to advocate for policies that protect Māori health and equity, support evidence-based approaches to smoking cessation, amplify the voices of whānau and communities, and work alongside partners to reduce harm and improve outcomes. A smokefree, vapefree future is possible, but it requires urgent action now to protect those most at risk.
Paeroa plays - First Hauraki Games since COVID
For the first time since COVID the Hauraki Games have returned to Paeroa, bringing together over 2,500 whānau from 20 marae at Te Puru o Te Rangi.
Rangatahi and tamariki played alongside kaumātua, enjoying netball, touch, lawn bowls, tug-of-war, and euchre, in a day alive with energy, laughter, and whanaungatanga.
Events like this reflect what our Te Tiratū IMPB Hauora Māori Priorities Summary Report says.
That whānau want to exercise Mana Motuhake in Hauora and have the space to follow their self-determined pathways to what positive health and wellbeing outcomes are, supported by their community.
This aligns directly with our advocacy about equity and culturally-led approaches to hauora Māori, ensuring our hapori have the resources, access, and decision-making power to thrive.
Our Hauora Māori Priorities Summary Report highlights the importance of solutions shaped with whānau, honouring their knowledge, experiences, and aspirations.
The Hauraki Games were much more than a sports day.
They were a space for whānau to lead their own wellbeing, strengthen connections, celebrate identity and pride, and enjoy intergenerational participation. It was a chance to pause from the business of the world especially during these times of war in the Middle East and focus on what really matters – oranga, whakawhanaungatanga and manaakitanga.
Te Kūiti whānau want to grow hauora solutions already working
Whānau at the Hauora Day at the Les Munro Centre in Te Kūiti spoke openly about the everyday challenges they face, from the cost of petrol and healthy kai to limited support for rangatahi and tamariki dental care. Even with these pressures, they highlighted solutions already working, demonstrating how they exercise mana motuhake, kaitiakitanga, and manaakitanga.
One of the strongest solutions already in place was whānau supporting each other day to day. In homes where Type 2 Diabetes is common, some are managing it collectively, cooking together, sharing kai, supporting medication routines and keeping each other well.
Accessible and affordable local services are making a difference for many whānau. Some shared they could get appointments quickly and at low cost, showing that when services are responsive and trusted, whānau will use them.
Whānau stepping up to support others is another strength already working in the community. One tane took things into his own hands and started doing it all himself, because he felt like he couldn’t trust the system. He became a volunteer to help navigate others through the journey. Now he walks alongside others, helping them understand the system and what to expect.
Outreach services that already serve surrounding areas are valued by whānau. For example, foot care services travelling to places like Maniaiti / Benneydale were seen as helpful and something that could be built on.
At the same time, whānau were clear about where these solutions need to grow.
Whānau called for more services closer to home, especially for mental health and addiction, so support is available earlier and not only in times of crisis. For rangatahi, services need to feel safe and accessible, with options that allow for privacy. Outreach, online support and services outside the immediate area were all identified as ways to build on what is already working.
Access to care remains uneven. A big one for Mama’s was oral health. They told us how hard it is for tamariki to get into oral health services; the mobile dental bus is not enough. Whānau want to see more consistent dental services, more health workers across the region and visiting specialists like podiatry and pain support to reduce the need for travel.
Transport and cost continue to shape whether whānau can access care. Building on existing supports, whānau said more help with petrol, more transport options and more local delivery of services would make a significant difference.
Whānau also highlighted the importance of strengthening what they already do. Support for healthy kai, services that work alongside whānau routines and approaches that recognise collective care were all seen as ways to build on existing strengths.
For kaumātua, the focus remains on maintaining independence. Improving access to mobility support, transport and social connection would strengthen what is already helping kaumātua stay well.
Housing also sits at the centre of hauora. Warm, dry homes and the ability to afford heating were identified as essential foundations that would support all other health gains.
Across the day, 27 Whānau Voice surveys were completed, but it was the kōrero behind them that mattered most. Whānau shared not only the challenges they face, but the solutions they are already living every day.
The hauora day in Te Kūiti showed a community that is not starting from zero. The foundations are already there. What whānau are asking for now is the support to grow what is already working.
Iwi Chairs & IMPBs unite to map a hauora ‘manifesto’
Today rangatira from across Aotearoa came together, gathering from the National Iwi Chairs Forum, Hauora Iwi Leaders Group, and Iwi Māori Partnership Boards.
They met with one purpose in mind. To kōrero, share, and map a path forward for Hauora that truly puts whānau at the centre.
The hui invitation came from Hauora ILG leaders Kahurangi Dame Naida Glavish, Rahui Papa, and Tereki Stewart, and guided by Janell Dymus-Kurei, whose knowledge from Pou Tangata and the Matike Mai working groups helped bring the ideas into focus. The room hummed with conversation, with each voice weaving into a bigger picture of health, wellbeing, and rangatiratanga.
Rahui Papa opened the hui with a call to work together. “We’re looking forward to solidifying the relationship between IMPB and ILG and align perspectives, so we create definitive action points together like a hitchhiker’s guide to Hauora strategy,” he said. There was a sense that something important was beginning.
Throughout the day, leaders explored how iwi, Hauora ILG, IMPBs, Hauora Māori Advisory Committee, and commissioning agencies could walk side by side, working in ways that make services easier to access, stronger, and more culturally safe for whānau.
Māori-led initiatives like the Taakiri Tuu wellness and diagnostic centre in Kirikiriroa sparked conversation on devolution, showing what is possible when communities lead, care is delivered locally, and whānau are respected in every decision.
The hui also turned to deeper discussions. Why IMPBs need statutory authority and stable funding, how the te Tiriti o Waitangi relationship with the Crown sits firmly with iwi, and why Māori governance over health data matters for protecting whānau outcomes.
Speaking with one voice across the system makes sense, so does creating a Manifesto to present clear and coherent positions to government, and working together so every decision strengthens equity, trust, and wellbeing.
Janell reminded everyone that these were early ideas, a beginning rather than an end. The Manifesto will grow and change as the journey continues, shaped by shared insights and careful kōrero.
The next steps have been agreed. To finalise a joint statement by the end of April, continue working on commissioning and service delivery, and support IMPBs with leadership, resourcing, and capacity to ensure whānau remain at the heart of Hauora.
As the hui came to a close, a sense of hope and momentum filled the room. This was more than just a meeting; it was a clear signal of ‘doey’ – a shared commitment from everyone to come together and take action.
Tokoroa whānau speak up at Hauora Day
Whānau in Tokoroa came together for the Hauora Day at Tokoroa Hospital organised by South Waikato Community Services. The event brought together health providers, clinicians, community organisations, locals, and the Te Tiratū Whānau Voice team, offering a wide range of health, wellbeing, and support services for all ages.
Our kaimahi completed a dozen surveys and had countless conversations with whānau that revealed common concerns, including diabetes, respiratory conditions like asthma, mental health challenges, and addiction.
Many whānau appreciated the presence of nurses at the event, who offered advice, education, and quick checks for blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular risks. Skin lesion checks and general surgery advice were also available, alongside children’s vision and hearing screenings, oral health checks, cervical and HPV screening, breast and bowel screening guidance, and pre-school health assessments.
Several whānau highlighted that sitting down with health professionals helped them better understand their conditions and the guidance they receive. Health promoters were also on hand to provide education and prevention support. Free information on immunisations, Well Child Tamariki Ora services, and whānau education programmes supported families in navigating care.
Access to GP appointments was generally possible for urgent needs, but standard appointments often involved waits of around two weeks. Some whānau said they resorted to Accident and Emergency when earlier care was unavailable.
Advocacy from nurses such as liaising with GPs or helping prepare for appointments was seen as vital. Whānau noted the importance of having family members who understand the health system or can help interpret medical advice, particularly when travelling to Waikato Hospital added stress and cost.
Access to affordable, healthy kai was also raised as an ongoing challenge for some families.
Mental health services were mentioned by a small number of whānau who had lived experience of the system. They spoke about long waits to see a psychologist and the difficulty of finding clear information about available support. There was also interest in kaupapa Māori mental health services and culturally grounded responses.
Rangatahi wellbeing was a recurring topic. Whānau voiced a desire for more youth programmes and activities, expressing concern over vape and gambling outlets and their impact on young people. Other concerns raised included communication between schools and families about health risks.
One parent described frustration when there had been a delay in communication after a person with COVID-19 had been on a school bus, which was particularly concerning because their child was immunocompromised.
Community safety was also mentioned, including concerns about parking and pedestrian crossings around a local primary school.
Employment opportunities were another topic raised in conversations with the Te Tiratū team. Some people were concerned that overseas companies were bringing in workers from other countries while employment remains a challenge for some local residents.
A small number of whānau also spoke about experiences of racism in the wider community, although these experiences were not specifically linked to the health system.
Alongside the challenges, whānau also spoke positively about the work of local providers and community organisations. Programmes that support health education, including diabetes education, were appreciated, as were community initiatives focused on wellbeing.
A local kaumātua group was mentioned as an example of a kaupapa that brings older people together through activities and guest speakers. Community food māra kai initiatives were also recognised for helping whānau access healthy food.
Support for the Cancer Lodge was also acknowledged, with whānau noting the importance of having accommodation available for patients and whānau who need to travel for cancer treatment.
The Hauora Day offered a full range of services beyond clinical checks. Parenting, men’s and women’s groups, elder safety and financial harm support, Family Start home-based parenting programmes, healthy homes guidance, driver and truck licensing, apprenticeship and employment pathways, financial literacy, smoking cessation support, transport assistance, and community referrals including the Putāruru shuttle service were all available.
For the Te Tiratū Whānau Voice team, the day was a vital opportunity to hear from whānau directly, ensuring their experiences and priorities inform our ongoing advocacy work to improve health outcomes across the rohe, particularly in Tokoroa where 46.6% of the population has identified as Māori.
Ninth wave of COVID-19 arrives
Health services across Aotearoa are reporting a ninth wave of COVID‑19. In the past week, 50 people have been hospitalised and 19 have sadly passed away with the virus.
Most whānau experience mild illness, but our pēpi, kaumātua, and those with existing health conditions remain more vulnerable. Protecting whakapapa is a shared responsibility, and simple actions can make a real difference.
Recent media reports say, “Covid-19 is being tracked through wastewater and hospitalisations which were currently showing a “big wave””.
Simple Steps to Keep Safe
Line up your Covid booster with your annual flu vaccination. Make a booking now.
If you or your tamariki feel unwell with cough, fever, runny nose, or sore throat, stay home, rest, and avoid visiting older whānau or those with health conditions. Testing helps you know if it’s COVID‑19, and free tests or RATs may still be available through local hauora providers or pharmacies.
Vaccination and booster doses build protection and reduce the risk of severe illness, and they are free for most people aged 5 and over. Adults aged 30 and over, particularly whānau Māori are encouraged to stay up to date with boosters when eligible.
Good hygiene continues to help protect everyone. Wash your hands regularly, wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces, and cough or sneeze into your elbow. Staying vigilant helps keep our whānau safe.
Data from Aotearoa shows that our whānau are disproportionately affected by COVID‑19, with higher rates of severe outcomes than other groups. Vaccination and boosters significantly help protect everyone.
Protect Our Whakapapa
Protecting our tamariki and kaumātua by staying home when unwell, testing, isolating if needed, and keeping up with vaccinations saves lives.
Kia noho haumaru e te whānau!
Rangitāmiro reaching more whānau than ever
Te Pāe Tawhiti – The shared vision for Rangitāmiro in its journey of evolution from 1.0 toward 7.0
More whānau are connecting with support across Te Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, Waikato and Tūwharetoa as the Whānau Ora commissioning model of Rangitāmiro grows and strengthens.
A quarterly update received today by shareholders for the period October to December 2025 shows growing engagement with whānau and stronger partnerships with providers working in communities across the regions.
The number of whānau engaging with Rangitāmiro services increased over the quarter, rising from 3,228 whānau in October to 3,872 by December.
The whānau-centred approach of Rangitāmiro was especially effective during the recent severe weather events that affected northern regions earlier this year. Working alongside Whānau Ora providers and community organisations, support was coordinated for whānau impacted by the events, demonstrating the strength of kaupapa Māori responses grounded in relationships, tikanga and community leadership.
Support is delivered through Whānau Ora Kaiwhiriwhiri (navigators) who work alongside whānau to help them access services, strengthen connections and achieve their aspirations. Kaiwhiriwhiri across the regions continue to support increasing numbers of whānau seeking guidance and support.
As Rangitāmiro moves beyond its start-up phase, it is continuing to strengthen its systems, workforce and partnerships. Work is underway to grow the capability of Kaiwhiriwhiri across the network, embed the organisation’s mātāpono of whānau, connection and tikanga, and build systems that support continuous learning and improvement.
In November, the Rangitāmiro Board and operational team came together for a strategic wānanga to begin shaping the organisation’s long-term direction. The kōrero focused on a shared vision of intergenerational wellbeing, with tamariki and mokopuna at the centre.
Those attending reflected on what thriving whānau looks like in everyday life, including safe homes, access to kai, learning opportunities, strong cultural identity and connection to whenua and whakapapa. The wānanga also explored the importance of looking ahead seven generations to ensure decisions made today help build a stronger future for mokopuna.
Over the coming months, Rangitāmiro will focus on completing its strategic plan, strengthening data and insights about whānau outcomes, deepening partnerships with providers and continuing to grow support for whānau across the regions it serves.
By grounding its work in tikanga, relationships and whānau voice, Rangitāmiro aims to help whānau realise their aspirations and thrive now and for the next seven generations to come.
Rangitāmiro is a consortium of Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, Ngaa Pou Hauora oo Taamaki Makaurau Iwi Māori Partnership Board and National Hauora Coalition (NHC).
Major health lobby group ‘Kaitiaki Hauora’ backs Iwi Māori Partnership Boards
Kaitiaki Hauora is calling for Te Tiriti o Waitangi to be honoured by empowering Iwi Māori Partnership Boards to lead decisions about health services for their communities.
The national alliance launched in January has brought together patients, health workers, Māori health representatives, unions, advocacy organisations, youth voices, and community groups who share a commitment to protecting and strengthening publicly funded healthcare in Aotearoa.
It is calling for:
- A major boost to funding to meet the real health needs of our population.
- Protecting and strengthening publicly funded and provided healthcare, rather than outsourcing it to private interests.
- Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi by devolving decision-making authority and funding to Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards, enabling them to meet the needs and aspirations of their people.
Since launching earlier this year, the Kaitiaki Hauora alliance has grown quickly.
More than 570 people have signed up to support its campaign, and 26 organisations have formally joined the alliance, reflecting strong public support for protecting publicly funded healthcare.
The group has been active in the national conversation about hauora as we experience a critical time for healthcare and the future of the public health system in Aotearoa.
Decisions made by government and Parliament will influence how healthcare is funded, delivered and governed including the role of Māori leadership in shaping services.
For Iwi Māori Partnership Boards, ensuring that Māori voices remain strong in these conversations is essential to achieving equitable health outcomes for whānau.
Kaitiaki Hauora spokespeople include Iwi Māori Partnership Board representation from Chair, Louisa Wall of Tūwharetoa and General Practitioner and Chief Medical Officer of Tūwharetoa Iwi Māori Partnership Board Dr Rawiri Jansen.
Kaitiaki Hauora believes the future of public healthcare will depend on communities working together to protect the system and ensure it reflects the values of fairness, partnership and care for all.
Whānau and organisations in hauora are being encouraged to learn more about the alliance across the motu and how they can support the kaupapa.
Together, the message is clear around kaitiakitanga and kotahitanga. Strong public healthcare and strong Māori leadership must go hand in hand.
‘Fails Māori’ Māori health advocates slam Pae Ora amendment bill
Whakaata Māori has reported on opposition from Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board to changes proposed in the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Amendment Bill, which has now passed its second reading in Parliament but is not yet law.
Te Tiratū says the amendments would weaken the role of Iwi Māori Partnership Boards and sideline iwi authority within the health system. The boards were established under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 to ensure Māori communities have a formal role in health planning, priorities, and accountability.
Te Tiratū Co-Chair Tipa Mahuta said the proposed changes would dilute the influence of iwi in health decision-making and weaken the protections intended to give effect to Te Tiriti within the health system.
“This government talks about strengthening Māori voices, but these amendments sideline our authority. Iwi Māori Partnership Boards exist to ensure equity and accountability in health, not just to provide advice when convenient. We need genuine power, not paper pathways,” Mahuta said.
Mahuta said weakening Section 30 of the Act would reduce Māori decision-making and strip away important protections linked to Te Tiriti. She said evidence gathered through Te Tiratū’s work shows that iwi-led planning improves access, outcomes, and efficiency across health services.
“Our reports clearly show that iwi-led solutions improve access, outcomes, and efficiency across health services. From chronic disease management to cancer screening, the evidence demonstrates that local, Māori-led planning works. Yet the proposed reforms ignore this capability entirely.”