Supporting Hauora Māori: Insights from the National Hauora Māori Services Dashboard

The Hauora Māori Services National Commissioning Performance Dashboard released on Monday 3rd February, highlights the impact of health and wellbeing services in our rohe, showing strong engagement with whānau Māori, high performance in assessments, planning and referrals and strong whānau satisfaction. With over 5000 whānau engaged in Hauora Māori Services over the July – September 2024 reporting period, achievement of key performance indicators for our rohe sits at 97%. Of particular note is the extent to which Hauora Māori services in this rohe exceed national targets. For example, providers and whānau together almost quadrupled the target relating to whānau achievement of two or more priority outcomes.  Other highlights from the key performance indicators are shown in the following table:

Whānau satisfaction is high with 100% of those surveyed reporting a positive experience. The strengths lie in cultural support (Te Ao Māori domain at 90%) and in health services with a 92% outcome achievement. Almost 62% of service users are Māori; 53% are under the age of 20 and only 2% are kaumatua. The data shows a higher use of ‘mental health’ and ‘substance use support’. This is likely influenced by the type of hauora Māori services currently funded by Te Whatu Ora / Health New Zealand.  


Treaty Principles Bill Oral Submissions - Day 1

Day 1 of submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill set a powerful tone as esteemed speakers including Ta Taihakurei Durie and Whaea Ani Mikaere shared their insights. The bill, which seeks to solidify the principles of TeTiriti o Waitangi in New Zealand’s legislative framework, has drawn significant public attention, and these submissions highlighted the importance of honoring tangata whenua perspectives.

Ta Taihakurei Durie, a prominent legal scholar and advocate for Māori rights, emphasised the need for the bill to reflect the true intent and spirit of Te Tiriti. He urged lawmakers to ensure the principles remain grounded in the partnership, protection, and participation that the Treaty embodies, rather than being diluted or misinterpreted.

“If the bill were to pass, I believe our government would be the laughingstock of the Western world”, said Ta Taihakurei Durie.

Whaea Ani Mikaere, a respected academic, barrister, solicitor, and author, delivered an impassioned submission highlighting the need to center mātauranga Māori and uphold Tino rangatiratanga. She challenged the government to take a bold and authentic approach to the legislation, ensuring it does more than pay lip service to the Treaty's legacy.

She argued that the Treaty reaffirmed “supreme political authority to Tino rangatiratanga of the rangatira” but “delegated kāwanatanga to the crown so that it could regulate the conduct of British citizens who were living here in Aotearoa.

“The Crown occupies its current position of privilege by virtue of the fact that it has lied, cheated, and infected its way to dominance during the decades immediately following the Treaty of Waitangi,” Mikaere said. “Now, the precise detail of the process by which the Crown acquired dominance may vary from iwi to iwi, from rohe to rohe, but the general pattern remains depressingly constant”.

Video from Day 1 of Oral Submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill can be viewed by clicking here.


Celebrating Heritage, Enriching Education: Muaūpokotanga Day Returns

Local educators gathered for Muaūpokotanga Day, an annual professional development event organised by Muaūpoko iwi to deepen teachers’ understanding of iwi history, cultural values, and Māori perspectives. Held in the heart of the Muaūpoko rohe (region), this day fosters collaboration between schools and tangata whenua, encouraging teachers to weave authentic Māori narratives into their classrooms.

The event features interactive workshops led by Muaūpoko knowledge holders, immersive storytelling sessions, and guided discussions on historical landmarks and ancestral stories unique to the iwi. Participants explored resources designed to help integrate te ao Māori (Māori worldview) into curricula while honoring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

By equipping educators with locally relevant insights, Muaūpoko aims to nurture cultural competence and inspire a generation of students to value Muaūpoko’s narratives. As one past attendee shared, “This isn’t just professional development—it’s a meaningful step toward reconciliation.”

Schools across the region are encouraged to participate in this transformative opportunity. Together, we can ensure that Muaūpoko stories and wisdom continue to shape compassionate, informed futures.


Whānau Voice

From August to December 2024, John and Sen embarked on Round 1 of the journey to collect Whānau Voice within the Mid-central rohe covering Ōtaki, Horowhenua, Papaioea, Manawatū, and Tararua.

Engaging whānau and hapū/ Iwi to gather Whānau Voice is a legislative requirement of Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) as part of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022.

Several collection methods have been used including interviews, surveys and workshops. Ensuring Whānau have Data Sovereignty is at the forefront through a robust consent process, secure storage and giving kōrero back to whānau.

Round 1 has seen good coverage in Tararua and Papaioea with Whānau interviews. We would like to increase engagements with Whānau through interviews in Manawatū, Ōtaki, and Horowhenua for Round 2.

We have seen good coverage in Manawatū, Tararua, and Ōtaki with Whānau workshops. We like to increase Whānau workshops in Horowhenua and Papaioea.

We have seen minimal engagement with Whānau surveys being the least preferred method by Whānau, however will be increasing online access across social media platforms, website, and pānui as an option.

Tāhū Ora, the operational arm of Te Pae Oranaga o Ruahine o Tararua, has welcomed Rārite Mātāki in the role of Data Analysis and Policy to support the theming, findings, and analysis of Whānau Voice from Round 1.

We look forward to sharing the insights and the actions taken from Round 1 in the coming weeks. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!