Te Mātuku iwi-Māori partnership board has today released a powerful series of whānau voice reports, capturing the kōrero of whānau from across the Te Ranga Tupua rohe (Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and parts of South Taranaki).
The four reports, covering primary health care and general well-being; mokopuna ora; mental health; social cohesion, cancer screening and rural health as well as kaumātua wellbeing, reveal that wellbeing is inseparable from equity of access, cultural safety and trust.
"These reports aren't just documents, they are the voices of our communities. Through whānau-led insights, we are forging a path towards local health services that are culturally grounded, equitable, and responsive" said Elijah Pue, Manu Tāiko - CEO of Te Mātuku.
With the support of independent Māori research institute for environment and health, Te Atawhai o Te Ao, more than 276 participants, all with whakapapa to iwi within Te Ranga Tupua, were engaged through surveys, interviews, and hui. Their kōrero provides the foundation for understanding community priorities, experiences, and aspirations in health and wellbeing.
The iwi Māori partnership boards were established under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act in 2022. They play a crucial role in advancing tino rangatiratanga aspirations to ensure the health needs and priorities of Māori communities are met. Whānau voice is a critical touch point between the system and whānau.
"Engaging with our whānau will likely become the main function of IMPB's moving into the future. The release of the first four whānau voice reports signals our ongoing commitment to regular engagement and amplification of whānau perspectives, priorities, and aspirations to inform decision-making processes across the health landscape.
The whānau voice reports can be found on the Te Mātuku website: https://tematuku.maori.nz/