Te Taura Ora o Waiariki - Te Arawa IMPB

15/09/2025

Have your say — Whānau Voice on Immunisation

We are working together with Rotorua Area Primary Health Services to better understand why some of our whānau choose not to immunise their tamariki.

Hēmi Waerea from Te Taura Ora o Waiariki will be holding kōrero with whānau who are open to sharing their stories. These sessions can happen in the way that works best for you - by phone, video call, at your home, or even at your local clinic.

Your voice will help shape a health campaign that’s designed with whānau, for whānau.

To take part, contact Hēmi on 021 409 266 or email whanauvoice@tearawaimpb.co.nz

15/09/2025

Hapū māmā, your vaccination is one of the best gifts you can give your pēpi. 💖

➡️ A free whooping cough booster is available from 13 weeks in every pregnancy (best from 16 weeks).
➡️ Your immunity passes through the placenta to protect pēpi until their first vaccines at 6 weeks.
➡️ This protection could save their life.

Ask your midwife, GP, or hauora provider about the free whooping cough vaccine.

11/09/2025

When health practitioners slow down and take the time, it shows they care. For rangatahi, feeling truly listened to and supported can make all the difference in how they approach their own hauora.

“They didn’t rush it, they took the time to explain and make sure I understood what the medication was… they even drew a picture! It looked like they cared, they weren’t trying to rush me along… after that I did take my medication more seriously.”

Taking time builds trust — and trust changes outcomes.

07/09/2025

Whooping cough (pertussis) is not under control in Aotearoa.

➡️ It spreads easily within whānau, kura, and kōhanga.
➡️ It causes severe coughing fits, pneumonia, and can last for months, that’s why it’s called the “100 day cough”.
➡️ Pēpi under 1 year are most at risk. Many who catch whooping cough need hospital care, and for some it is fatal.

Protecting pēpi starts with us.

Vaccination is free for all tamariki under 18, pregnant māmā, and adults at certain ages.

Talk to your GP or hauora provider, or check the Healthpoint website for your nearest vaccination point:

https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/immunisation/diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-whooping-cough/bay-of-plenty/?accessOptions=anyone

05/09/2025

Our second research report on ‘Whānau Experiences of the Health System and Health Services in Rotorua’ is now live.

This report focuses on the voices of rangatahi - their experiences, insights, and what needs to change to improve hauora outcomes.

Rangatahi want services that reflect manaakitanga, rangatiratanga, whanaungatanga and holistic wellbeing — but right now, their experiences are inconsistent. Mispronounced names, rushed appointments, and a lack of cultural safety are turning many away.

To improve outcomes, the report recommends action at every level:

🔹 Service level:

Invest in health literacy for rangatahi and whānau, and back community initiatives (especially for young Māori men) that combine physical activity, healthy kai and mental wellness.

🔹 System level:

Train all public health staff — from admin to clinicians — to deliver care that aligns with values important to rangatahi Māori.

🔹 Policy level:

Review current policies around maternity care, mental health, and holistic wellbeing to see if they truly reflect the needs of rangatahi Māori in Waiariki.

With nearly 45% of Māori in our rohe under 25, their voices must shape the future of our health system.

We’ll share kōrero from our rangatahi over the coming weeks. Follow the link below to read the full report. 👇🏾

https://tearawaimpb.co.nz/2025/07/14/rangatahi-research-report-march-2025/

05/09/2025

“We shift from being meaningful decision-makers to advisers to the minister’s advisers. Adviser to the adviser to the adviser. Our advice can be ignored, whereas statutory power ensures whānau voices have to be factored into decision-making. Without that, Māori will remain consulted but excluded from real influence.” — Jenny Kaka-Scott, Deputy Chair.

This is what’s at stake in the Pae Ora Amendment Bill. The Government’s proposed changes would strip iwi of statutory power in health decision-making—replacing it with advisory roles that carry no guarantee of influence. It’s a downgrade from partnership to tokenism.

Whānau deserve more than consultation. We deserve power, protection, and a health system that reflects our realities.

Follow the link to listen to Jenny's kōrero with Waatea News: https://waateanews.com/2025/09/03/jenny-kaka-scott-te-taura-ora-o-waiariki-deputy-chair/

02/09/2025

Today, our Deputy Chair, Jenny Kaka-Scott, delivered a powerful message in an oral submission to the Select Committee regarding The Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill.

This Bill threatens to undo one of the few health laws that truly embeds Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It strips away protections, silences equity, and reduces Māori to advisors only. That is not reform - it is a constitutional regression.

At our recent national IMPB hui in Taranaki, we heard disturbing kōrero: inside the system, equity and Te Tiriti are no longer spoken about. Some are already acting as if the Bill has passed. That is not only disturbing, it is unacceptable.

✅ Protect Te Tiriti
✅ Don’t dismantle what works
✅ The Bill will worsen inequities
✅ The data is clear: Māori die earlier, suffer more preventable illness
✅ Strengthen, don’t weaken, IMPBs
✅ Crown credibility is at stake

We urge Parliament to abandon or significantly redraft the Bill.
Retain and strengthen Te Tiriti protections, IMPB powers, and co-design mechanisms.

Until changed, the Pae Ora Act remains the law. Health NZ must comply with it now.

Follow the link to watch the complete kōrero: https://youtu.be/loUus9zz-iY

01/09/2025

Te Taura Ora o Waiariki is proud to welcome Urukahinga Rei to the team as Kaitatari/Analyst.

Uru brings a strong analytical lens and a passion for kaupapa Māori to her role, supporting our mission to uplift whānau wellbeing through evidence-based insights.

Nau mai Uru, we’re excited for the journey ahead!

01/09/2025

📣‼️ Te Taura Ora o Waiariki will appear before Parliament’s Select Committee this Tuesday 2 September at 9:50am to present a formal submission on the Pae Ora Bill.

Deputy Chairperson Jenny Kaka-Scott will speak to Subcommittee A, chaired by Sam Uffindell, with members Dr Carlos Cheung, Cameron Luxton, Hūhana Lyndon, and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

This is a critical moment for our region and our people.

Follow the link to watch Jenny's kōrero live - please note this may begin up to 15 minutes before or after the scheduled time of 9:50am 👇🏾

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/health/news-archive/watch-public-meetings-of-the-health-committee/

29/08/2025

Kaumātua told us that hauora starts with us. With whānau, with reconnection to taiao, and with taking responsibility. True wellbeing is about more than services, it’s about our tino rangatiratanga.

“No one else can provide the culture that we need to revive our health status. No one can do it for us.”

Read more in the Whānau Experiences of the Health System and Health Services in Rotorua report: https://tearawaimpb.co.nz/2025/07/14/kaumatua-research-report-jan-2025/

28/08/2025

An exciting position has become available with Te Whatu Ora - Waiariki Mana Ake Wayfinder, Permanent Full-time or Part-time, Rotorua.

As a Wayfinder, you will be responsible for delivering early interventional health and wellbeing guidance, support and service within Primary and Intermediate Schools. The Mana Ake service is led by health but delivered in collaboration with education, enabling the delivery of support where initial discovery of wellbeing need is often identified in a community setting.

Follow the link to find out more 👇🏾

Te Whatu Ora Careers

22/08/2025

Te Taura Ora o Waiariki is proud to join all 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards in submitting a collective response to the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill.

“15 Boards, representing iwi and whānau from every rohe in the country, are standing as one. It is kotahitanga in action, Te Tiriti-centred, a united voice coupled with a firm commitment to shaping the future for whānau.” - Kandi Ngataki, Chair of Ngā Pou Hauora ō Tāmaki Makaurau

We will not support amendments that strip accountability from Te Whatu Ora or undermine Māori leadership in hauora. He waka eke noa.

Follow the link to read more 👇🏾
https://tearawaimpb.co.nz/2025/08/21/15-iwi-maori-partnership-boards-sign-collective-submission/