For decades, Tame Iti has been recognised as one of Aotearoa’s most prominent Māori activists and cultural leaders. But alongside his advocacy for tino rangatiratanga and Māori rights, he has also maintained a strong commitment to the health and wellbeing of whānau.
The Ngāi Tūhoe leader has long supported community-based approaches to wellbeing, believing that health extends far beyond hospitals and clinics. For Iti, health is closely connected to identity, culture, whānau and the relationship Māori have with their whenua.
In recent years, Iti has spoken openly about his own experience living with diabetes, a condition that continues to disproportionately affect Māori communities. His personal journey has highlighted the daily realities of managing a chronic illness while also drawing attention to the broader health challenges facing Māori men.
Diabetes remains one of the most significant health issues impacting Māori, contributing to higher rates of heart disease, kidney disease, amputations and other serious complications. Māori are diagnosed at younger ages and experience poorer outcomes than many other population groups.
Iti’s experiences have reinforced the importance of prevention, self-care and taking ownership of personal health. At the same time, he recognises that individual responsibility alone cannot solve a problem deeply connected to social and economic conditions.
Many Māori men continue to face barriers when accessing healthcare. Cost, transport difficulties, long waiting times, work commitments and a lack of culturally safe services can discourage people from seeking help early. These challenges are often amplified in rural communities where healthcare options are more limited.
For Iti, culture and identity remain central to good health. Connection to whenua, language, whakapapa and community can provide a strong foundation for physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Māori health models have long recognised that wellbeing is holistic and shaped by much more than medical treatment alone.
Health advocates say Māori men often delay seeking healthcare until problems become serious, making early intervention more difficult. Encouraging regular check-ups, healthy eating, physical activity and stronger engagement with health services can play an important role in preventing conditions such as diabetes from progressing.
There is also growing recognition that solutions must be grounded in kaupapa Māori approaches. Programmes that involve whānau, marae and community leadership are increasingly proving effective in supporting positive lifestyle changes and long-term health improvements.
For younger Māori men, the message is clear. Looking after health is not simply about avoiding illness. It is about protecting the ability to care for whānau, contribute to community and maintain strong connections to culture and identity.
As diabetes continues to affect Māori communities at disproportionate rates, leaders such as Tame Iti are helping to highlight the importance of prevention, cultural strength and collective responsibility in building healthier futures for coming generations.
