Hauraki Primary Health Organisation

15/04/2026

Wāhine mā 💗

This is your gentle nudge … don’t put this one off. A mammogram might feel easy to delay, but taking a little time now could make a big difference for your future and your whānau.

Our lovely kaiāwhina Paulette Winiata is here to support you 🙌🏽 whether it’s helping you book in, answering any pātai, or simply having a kōrero if you’re feeling unsure.

The mammography bus is in town now:

📍 Paeroa – Council Car Park, 10 Marshall Street
🗓 Last day: 29 May

📍 Whitianga – Lee Street Car Park, 2 Lee Street
🗓 Last day: 15 May

👉🏼 Free breast screening is available for wāhine aged **45–69** who haven’t had a mammogram in the last 2 years.

If you’ve been thinking about it, take this as your sign to book in. It’s quick, it’s important, and it could save your life.

📞 Get in touch with Paulette on: 0272000573 or 📧Paulette.winiata@haurakipho.org.nz

Or visit the Health NZ website to sign up and book yourself 👌🏽

Looking after yourself means more time for all the people and moments that matter most 💕

13/04/2026

Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it 🙌🏽

The team is home safe and sound from the WONCA conference and we’ve just received some incredible news… our very own Amaru has taken out Best Overall Oral Presentation!

Kei runga noa atu koe e hoa - absolutely next level 🔥

His presentation was on Niho Ora ki Hauraki: Breaking barriers to oral health care in Hauraki so this is a win for all of us 🙌🏽

Amaru you didn’t just represent us, you elevated us 💪🏽 Congratulations e hoa, well deserved!

11/04/2026

Rangi Tuarua | Day Two at the WONCA Conference

Today we share a glimpse of the venue here in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, where our team has been privileged to engage in inspiring kōrero, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration with health professionals dedicated to strengthening primary care, hauora Māori, and rural health outcomes.

We are incredibly proud to acknowledge Dr Kara, Amaru, and Paulette, who presented today, sharing their expertise, and commitment to improving equitable health outcomes for our communities. Their contributions reflect the depth of knowledge within our people and the importance of ensuring our voices are present in spaces that shape the future of Hauora.

Alongside the presentations, Amaru also facilitated a poi wānanga and stall, which was beautifully received and drew significant interest from conference attendees. The space reflected the strength of te ao Māori, highlighting the connection between cultural practice and wellbeing. Amaru’s manaakitanga and beautiful wairua created an inviting and enriching environment that resonated with many, and it was beautiful to see such strong engagement with kaupapa grounded in mātauranga Māori.

Videos of today’s full presentations will be shared tomorrow once our beautiful Suzanne & Paulette present tomorrow morning - so stay tuned to hear directly from our team and learn more about the kaupapa they are championing.

While we are here, our whakaaro remain with our whānau across Hauraki-Waikato as Cyclone Vaianu approaches. Please continue to prioritise your safety - prepare where you can, stay informed, and look after one another during this time. Our thoughts are with all those who may be impacted.

We look forward to sharing more updates as the conference continues.

Ngā Manaakitanga 🫶🏽

11/04/2026

Weather update - we’ve been here before but don’t take the warnings lightly … BE PREPARED.

Your Facebook community pages are often a great source of information for local coordination efforts. We’re seeing updates on which hubs and marae are opening themselves up for those in need - BE CONNECTED

We’re also seeing a lot of whānau preparing go bags in case their household need to evacuate quickly - BE READY

Importantly - BE SAFE - check in on each other if you can, stay home if possible, and keep warm and dry e te whānau.

BE PREPARED - BE CONNECTED - BE READY - BE SAFE ❤️

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘂 🟡⚫

A Regional State of Emergency has been declared for Waikato, including the Coromandel, as we prepare for the full impact of Cyclone Vaianu on Sunday.

This declaration gives emergency services extra powers to respond quickly to the severe weather expected under the current orange and red warnings.

Cyclone Vaianu is a multi‑hazard, potentially life‑threatening event, with damaging winds, heavy rain, large swells, and coastal inundation expected from late tonight and throughout Sunday.

Civil Defence Centres across the district are being activated, and Community-led centres are on standby. Find locations here: www.tcdc.govt.nz/wheretogo

Sandbags are available in Whitianga, Thames, Whangamatā, Coromandel Town, Tairua, and Pāuanui.

People in low‑lying coastal areas, including campers, should move to higher ground. Some freedom‑camping areas are already closed, with more likely.

What to do now:

Finish preparations today
Secure outdoor items
Check on neighbours and whānau
Keep devices charged
Have supplies for several days
Stay away from beaches and coastal structures

Stay updated via MetService, the TCDC website, Facebook, and local radio. Further updates will follow as the situation develops.

10/04/2026

📍Kua tae mai mātou ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara!

Our team has safely arrived in Wellington for the WONCA Conference, and we are incredibly honoured to be here representing Pare Hauraki and our rural communities.

The WONCA Conference brings together health professionals, researchers, and advocates from across Aotearoa and the world, all committed to strengthening primary care, rural health equity, and whānau-centred wellbeing. We are proud to be part of these important kōrero and to support our team who will be presenting over the coming days.

We are looking forward to engaging in meaningful discussions, building connections, and contributing to kaupapa that uplift the health outcomes of our communities.

Although we are away, our hearts remain at home. With Cyclone Vaianu approaching, we encourage everyone to take care during this uncertain time. Please ensure you are prepared, stock up on essentials, and keep safe and dry e te whānau. We are thinking of you all and sending strength to our communities.

We will be back tomorrow with further updates from the conference. We hope you’re loving our content! Comment below at let us know your thoughts!

Ngā manaakitanga 💚

10/04/2026

RURAL COMMUNITIES TO BIG CITY

⛑️ 🩺 Join our team as we travel to the WONCA Conference in Te Whanganui-a-Tara… an opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired alongside passionate professionals committed to strengthening our communities.

08/04/2026

E te whānau, the weathers not looking too flash...

We purchased this drone to help show how our region can become disconnected during big weather events, like when the roads close and access is cut off.

But tonight is something different,

It's a reminder of the beauty, power, and resilience of our whenua, moana, and people. Even when the storm comes, we lock in and look after each other. And then when it's over, we carry on.

Kia haumaru te noho, kia haumaru te haere!

07/04/2026

“For Rangatahi, led by Rangatahi.”

The weather might not be the best across Pare Hauraki today, but the rangatahi‑led noho marae in Manaia are bringing all the best vibes. Mātangireia smashed Day 1 of their noho and are already into more amazing mahi for Day 2! The energy is next‑level. Head over to their socials and hit follow to stay in the loop with all the latest action.

07/04/2026

🫶🏽Mihi mai ki a Amaru!

You might know him as the glue of our kapa, Te Kāhui Hauora o Hauraki, the welcoming face across our Te Tara o Te Whai localities initiative and the steady hand behind many of our kaupapa. At Hauraki PHO, Amaru works as a kaimanaaki - he helps organise, guide, and connect whānau to the right services, walking alongside them to make the pathway a little clearer each time.

Amaru shares insights from one of the wānanga-styled approaches supporting our hāpori to access the care they need. Toi Ora ki Uta, ki Tai specifically focuses on support and wellbeing for our Kaumātua of Hauraki. Mātakitaki mai.

31/03/2026

We’ve put in a bid alongside a number of other Hauraki based orgs to host a rural medical school hub…no decisions yet, but what a great opportunity for our region if we were successful…

As our CE highlights in this article, rural communities face ongoing workforce shortages. A hub like this could help train and retain more local clinicians, improve access to care, and deliver long-term benefits.

Importantly, when students have a positive placement or clinical experience in a rural area, they’re far more likely to return and build their careers there.

Fingers crossed 🤞🏽

The proposal would provide desperately needed medical assistance to the region once the University of Waikato’s graduate medical programme starts in 2028.

27/03/2026

🦷🪥Another big mihi to kaimahi who contributed to the Niho Ora initiative.

While our Niho Ora ki Hauraki kaupapa has come to a close, the positive impact across Pare Hauraki continues to be felt. Through this initiative, more whānau were able to access essential dental care, with mobile clinics and dedicated dental professionals reaching into our rural communities.

Through patience and manaakitanga, our whānau felt supported and encouraged to take meaningful steps toward improving their oral health and overall oranga, regardless of what stage of life they’re in 🫶🏽

A heartfelt mihi to everyone who helped bring this kaupapa to life, and to the whānau who continue to prioritise their oral health each day - recognising that small, consistent actions over time create lasting change.