Radio Waatea is putting the spotlight on the health of tāne Māori as part of Men’s Health Week 2026, with a coordinated week-long focus on some of the biggest and most preventable causes of premature death among Māori men.
Across Aotearoa, Māori men continue to face some of the worst health outcomes in the country, including shorter life expectancy and higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, suicide and preventable illness.
For whānau, these are not just health statistics. They are fathers, brothers, sons, uncles, kaumātua and future leaders being lost too soon.
Joining Radio Waatea for the kaupapa is Dr Timoti, also known as Trevor Te Moke, whose own life story carries a powerful message of transformation, resilience and hope.
Raised in a violent environment, Dr Te Moke spent time in state care, became a gang leader and served time in prison as a young man. But after deciding to change the direction of his life, he went on to work as a paramedic before entering medical school in his 50s.
He graduated as a doctor at 56 and now works at Middlemore Hospital, serving communities he knows from lived experience as well as clinical training.
Dr Te Moke says one of the biggest challenges is that many Māori men delay seeking help until their health problems are already serious.
That reluctance is often shaped by fear, shame, past negative experiences with the health system, cost, lack of trust, and a belief that men should simply harden up and carry on.
Health advocates say changing that pattern will require more than telling men to go to the doctor. It means creating services where tāne Māori feel respected, heard and understood.
Whānau also have a vital role to play by encouraging men to get checked early, normalising health conversations at home, and making appointments part of everyday care rather than a last resort.
Dr Te Moke’s message is grounded in both medicine and lived experience. He understands why some men avoid help, but also knows the cost of waiting too long.
Radio Waatea’s Men’s Health Week focus is highlighting five major health issues taking too many tāne Māori too soon, while urging men to take early action, get regular checks, and listen to their bodies.
The message to tāne Māori is simple and urgent.
Your health matters, not just for you, but for your whānau. Do not wait until it is too late.
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