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March 06, 2026
#hauora: Ngāti Kahungunu Partners with Health Hawke’s Bay to Host Primary Care Symposium
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On March 6, 2026
Ngāti Kahungunu is joining forces with Health Hawke’s Bay to host a regional Primary Care Symposium aimed at strengthening frontline health services and improving outcomes for whānau across Te Matau-a-Māui.
The symposium, titled Kia hora te Ora, will be held at Toitoi in Hastings and is expected to bring together health professionals, community leaders and policymakers to discuss the future of primary care in the region. The event begins with a breakfast presentation on Friday 6 March, followed by a full day of discussions and presentations on Saturday.
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Chair Bayden Barber says primary care sits at the heart of the health system, acting as the first point of contact for many whānau seeking medical support. Ensuring that general practice services are accessible, affordable and culturally responsive is essential for meeting the needs of Māori communities.
Barber has long advocated for stronger primary care services that reflect the values and aspirations of iwi, hapū and whānau. He says culturally grounded healthcare models are crucial for improving trust and engagement with the health system, particularly for communities that continue to face significant health inequities.
Ngāti Kahungunu represents a population approaching 100,000 people, with a median age of around 26. The iwi’s young and growing demographic is seen as a major opportunity for the future, but leaders say it also highlights the need to address persistent health challenges affecting their people.
Māori within the iwi remain disproportionately affected by conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease and cancer. Community leaders say improving access to preventative care and strengthening local health services will be key to addressing these disparities.
The symposium also reflects the iwi’s wider strategy for shaping the future of healthcare for its people.
Last year Ngāti Kahungunu announced plans to establish an independent iwi health authority, Te Toka Tū Moana o Ngāti Kahungunu, following extensive consultation with whānau, hapū and iwi as part of the Kahungunu 2050 strategic plan.
The decision followed a six-month engagement process that included community hui and a major Wānanga-ā-Iwi attended by around 400 participants in late 2025. Another wānanga is planned for 2026 as discussions continue about how the iwi can take a stronger leadership role in shaping health services.
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chief executive Chrissie Hape says feedback from whānau made it clear that health and wellbeing remain among the iwi’s top priorities.
The partnership with Health Hawke’s Bay is intended to ensure those aspirations are reflected in the design and delivery of primary care services across the region.
Health Hawke’s Bay leaders say the collaboration with Ngāti Kahungunu reflects the importance of working alongside iwi to address longstanding health inequities.
Primary care providers, including general practices and community health services, deliver the majority of healthcare in Aotearoa and play a crucial role in early diagnosis, prevention and ongoing management of chronic conditions.
The symposium will feature keynote speakers from across the health sector and is expected to attract practitioners from throughout the Hawke’s Bay region.
Delegates from the University of Waikato are also expected to attend, sharing plans for the university’s proposed medical school and its potential role in training future health professionals.
For Ngāti Kahungunu, the event is another step in strengthening partnerships that place whānau wellbeing at the centre of healthcare planning and delivery in Te Matau-a-Māui.
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