Men’s Health Week for 2026 runs from: June 15th – June21
When we talk about leadership as Māori men, too often we think about the big stage.
We think about Parliament. We think about boardrooms. We think about being the loudest voice in the room or leading a national movement.
But Men’s Health Week reminds us that some of the most important leadership we will ever provide happens much closer to home.
It happens in our own whānau.
It happens at our marae.
It happens at the local sports club.
It happens around the dinner table.
It happens when our tamariki are watching.
As Māori men, we carry many responsibilities. We are fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, partners and mentors. We are often the people others turn to when things get tough. Yet for generations, too many of us have struggled to turn that same level of care and attention toward ourselves.
The statistics are confronting.
Māori men continue to experience poorer health outcomes than many other New Zealanders. We are overrepresented in diabetes statistics. We suffer higher rates of cardiovascular disease. We face challenges with blood pressure, obesity and preventable illness. Too many of our men are dying younger than they should.
The reality is that if we want to be there for our mokopuna, if we want to continue telling our stories, protecting our culture and supporting our whānau, then we have to start taking our own health seriously.
That’s why Men’s Health Week matters.
Not because it gives us another awareness campaign.
Not because it provides another set of statistics.
But because it creates an opportunity for conversation, reflection and action.
For many Māori men, the word “warrior” carries deep significance. We often hear discussions about the so-called warrior gene, sometimes in ways that have done our people more harm than good.
But perhaps it’s time we redefined what being a warrior means.
Maybe the greatest battle facing many of us today isn’t out there.
Maybe it’s the battle against preventable disease.
Maybe it’s the fight against diabetes.
Maybe it’s lowering our blood pressure.
Maybe it’s losing a few kilograms.
Maybe it’s finally booking that health check-up we’ve been putting off for years.
Maybe it’s choosing to live.
The warrior gene doesn’t have to be activated through conflict.
It can be activated through prevention.
Through discipline.
Through commitment.
Through showing up for ourselves and for our whānau.
The good news is that this doesn’t require massive change overnight.
Too often health campaigns make it seem like we need to transform our lives in one giant leap.
Most of us know that’s not how life works.
Real change often starts with small steps.
Taking a walk.
Drinking more water.
Getting your blood pressure checked.
Cutting back on sugary drinks.
Getting together with mates for a hīkoi instead of another session on the couch.
The key is making those changes together.
Because Māori have always understood something powerful: we achieve more collectively than we do individually.
Health is no different.
When one brother decides to get healthy, bring another with you.
When one whānau member starts making changes, support them.
When one sports club decides to focus on wellbeing, everyone benefits.
Nobody should feel like they have to walk this path alone.
In fact, going together may be the most Māori solution of all.
I am proud to serve as an ambassador for Men’s Health Week because I believe this kaupapa has the power to save lives.
Not through grand speeches.
Not through politics.
But through everyday action.
Through ordinary men making extraordinary decisions about their future.
This week is an opportunity.
An opportunity to lead.
An opportunity to inspire.
An opportunity to show our tamariki and mokopuna what strength really looks like.
Strength isn’t ignoring your health.
Strength isn’t pretending everything is fine.
Strength is taking responsibility.
Strength is asking questions.
Strength is making the appointment.
Strength is choosing to be around for the long haul.
So this Men’s Health Week, let’s stop thinking that leadership only happens on the national stage.
Let’s lead in our own whare.
Let’s lead at our marae.
Let’s lead in our communities.
Let’s wage the prevention war together.
Let’s take those first small steps together.
And let’s make sure that our future generations get to enjoy the presence, wisdom and aroha of healthy Māori men for many years to come.
Come on brothers.
Let’s get hitched to this kaupapa and do this thing together.
Find out more here: Welcome – Men’s Health Week
Men’s Health Week is part of a global health awareness campaign marked in the US, Europe and Australasia. The week focuses on the health issues all men face, and raises awareness of steps men can take to help address these.
The New Zealand campaign for Men’s Health Week is run by directors Tim Greene and Mark Sainsbury, both of whom are passionate about helping men get more on top of their health.
Tim is an experienced communicator in the fields of health, education and sports, and Mark is one of the country’s most experienced journalists and presenters, acting as both a director and ambassador for Men’s Health Week.
Men’s Health Week New Zealand was awarded the 2020 Men’s Health Advocacy Award by the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand in recognition of the campaign’s continued commitment to lifting the profile and awareness of health issues which particularly impact on men.
If you think your support or sponsorship could help lift the profile and health awareness for men across New Zealand, we would love to hear from you.
