June 29, 2022
Māori say in new Taiwhenua Hauora rural health ropu
There’s a new voice for Māori in rural health.
A new rural health network, Hauora Taiwhenua, was launched yesterday at Parliament by Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare, after rural health was added to the Pae Oranga reforms through a supplementary order paper.
The chapter-based organisations brings together the Rural Health Alliance, Rural Nurses New Zealand, the Rural Hospital Network, New Zealand Institute of Rural Health, as well as midwives, maternity providers, allied health professionals and Māori health providers.
It includes a tiriti partner, Te Rōpū Ārahi, chaired by Te Atiawa kaumatua Bill Nathan.
Mr Nathan says it’s a chance to get real value for Māori out of the health reforms after years of feeling shut out.
“A prime example is Taitokerau, their approach to Covid-19 late last year – that approach, pass it down to Māori to do, share the resources equitably to achieve equitable health outcomes,” he says.