Te Taura Ora o Waiariki - Te Arawa IMPB

31/07/2025

The recent final Manatū Hauora wānanga in Rotorua brought together IMPB leaders from across the motu. Lots of strong kōrero and clear steps ahead – all focused on working together for sustainable, collective outcomes.

Kua ea te wānanga whakamutunga o ngā rangatira o te ao hauora Māori i tērā wiki. We held our final Manatū Hauora wānanga in Rotorua last week. Involving various Iwi Māori Partnership Board leaders with clear steps for the future. There was lots of positive kōrero that came from this wānang...

31/07/2025

Māori are underrepresented in the health workforce and it shows.

A national Health NZ report shows only 8.65% of the health workforce identifies as Māori, well below the Māori share of the population (17.8%, Stats NZ 2023).

This echoes what we’ve heard clearly from whānau, that more Māori staff in the healthcare system would create a more welcoming and culturally sensitive environment for whānau, improving their overall healthcare experience.

Representation isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a key part of equity we’re pushing for.

29/07/2025

Mahi opportunities e te whānau!

Join our small but mighty team making a real difference in Māori health!

We're seeking passionate individuals for two exciting permanent roles:
💼 Pou Oranga - Projects | Lead transformational projects grounded in Te Ao Māori
🗣️ Whānau Voice Lead | Ensure whānau perspectives shape health system decisions

What we offer:
• Meaningful mahi that impacts our people
• Supportive whānau-oriented environment
• Competitive salary packages
• Flexible work arrangements

Further information can be found here – https://tinyurl.com/5u56sfrv

Ready to represent Te Arawa voices and improve hauora outcomes?

🗓️ Applications close: 14th August 2025

27/07/2025

When whānau can’t get to a GP, they go to ED.

Our IMPB looked into how often Māori are turning up at Emergency Departments, because it tells us a lot about access to primary care.

📊 The latest data we have (from 2023) shows:
🔺 Māori made up 33.1% of the most urgent ED cases (Triage 1)
🔻 Māori also made up 30.5% of the least urgent ED cases (Triage 5)

In the wider Lakes district, those numbers were even higher — 44% and 41.6%.

That means our people are arriving sicker, or they’re using ED for things that should be handled in a GP clinic. Both point to the same problem: the system isn’t working as it should.

We are pushing for updated data from Health NZ to track whether this is improving.

22/07/2025

Let’s keep in touch!

We’re working hard to keep whānau informed. From kaupapa updates to new videos, hui invites and more.

Sign up to our pānui and you’ll get the latest straight to your inbox.

Follow the link below to subscribe👇🏾
https://tinyurl.com/impbpanui

21/07/2025

E te whānau, protect your tamariki from measles.

Measles is serious and spreads fast, especially among our pēpi and tamariki. Make sure they’re up to date with their immunisations.

✅It’s free
✅It’s safe
✅It works

Check in and kōrero with your GP or pharmacist today.

17/07/2025

"This is fabulous – it’s on our home turf." 💚

In early 2025, Te Pākira hosted its very first hauora clinic, supported by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao, and the response from whānau was incredible.

These marae-based clinics were an innovative solution, created and led by Māori providers to improve access for our communities.

✅ Over 40 people came through in just four hours
✅ Mirimiri was a hit, vitals checks too
✅ Whānau felt safe, supported, and at ease

It wasn’t just about health checks — it was about removing barriers:

No transport? Sorted.
No pūtea? Doesn’t matter.
Not sure where to go? Come to the marae.

For many, it was the first time accessing care in a space that felt familiar, free from whakamā, and full of whanaungatanga.

Because that’s the real power of marae-based hauora.

17/07/2025

⚠️ Measles alert – Wairarapa ⚠️
Three new confirmed cases of measles have been detected in the Wairarapa, linked to recent overseas travel. The individuals visited a supermarket (twice) and a library (once) during their infectious period — over the school holidays.

Measles is highly contagious and can make you seriously unwell — but it's easy to protect yourself.
✅Check your immunisation status
✅Get vaccinated at your GP or pharmacy

Book your vaccine here:
https://app.bookmyvaccine.health.nz/

15/07/2025

Early detection saves lives, but only if we act.

Our IMPB is deeply concerned about the low rates of cancer screening for Māori. These inequities are not just numbers, they’re costing whānau their lives, far too early.

We need urgent action from Health NZ to turn this around, not just more of the same.
• Screening approaches must be designed with us, not for us.
• Investment must prioritise by Māori, for Māori delivery.

Authentic engagement and practical solutions, that’s how we save lives.

The graphs shown reflect Lakes data as at December 2024.

If you're due for breast, cervical or bowel screening — don’t wait. Contact your GP or local hauora provider today to book your screening.

14/07/2025

Our Trustee, Rāwiri Bhana, recently spoke with Waatea News about what Māori health should look like and what needs to change to get there.

From cancer screening to kaupapa Māori governance, Rā shares why it’s so important to build a health system that reflects our whakapapa, whenua and tikangam, and centres whānau at every step.

Listen to the kōrero here:
https://waateanews.com/2025/07/08/ata-tu-rawiri-bhana/

10/07/2025

Screening saves lives. When screening is delayed, whānau are more likely to be diagnosed too late.

We need our people to be screened at much higher rates to detect cancer early as the data shows that once they are diagnosed, they get into treatment quickly - Hingatu Thompson, Chair.

'People don’t have to die from diseases like that if they’re caught early enough.'

10/07/2025

Kaua e wareware e te whānau! Register now for our hui where we’ll be sharing updates.

Come and join us to kōrero about where things are at and where we’re heading.

Follow the link below to register:
https://tinyurl.com/tetauraimpb