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.
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.
