Te Tiratū

08/02/2026

We loved kōrero with whānau on and off the water, hearing your stories, tips, and experiences.

Long days in the sun are part of the kaupapa, a huge mihi to everyone who shared their sun safety tips to keep our whānau well in the hot sun ☀️🧴

06/02/2026

🌿 WHAKAARO 🌿

As we reflect on Te Tiriti o Waitangi this long weekend, ngā mihi nui King Country News for spotlighting this prescription policy change and the whakaaro or our Tumu Whakarae, Brandi Hudson.

How can a marked reduction in the number of consults uphold the Crown’s obligation to actively protect Māori health and whānau wellbeing?

Fewer touchpoints without safeguards puts our whānau at risk.

👉Read more here: https://kingcountrynews.co.nz/2026/02/prescriptions-risk-warning/

05/02/2026

📍🗓️ Kia ora e te whānau 🗓️📍

Our Whānau Voice team is getting out and about across the rohe over the coming months from hauora days to regattas and kaupapa events.

We want to hear your whakaaro, experiences, and wishlist because your voice matters 🤝

See what’s coming up, and where you will be able to catch up with our team for a kōrero here 👉 https://tetiratu.co.nz/events/

̄ori

Hapori Hauora Day – Taumarunui February 28 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm A range of health services from Waikato and surrounding areas will be in Taumarunui offering free support to the community […]

03/02/2026

👋 Kia ora e te whānau 👋

We got out and about with at a recent Z Manu World Champs qualifier in Kirikiriroa.

Amidst the great vibes, Whānau took some time to share their whakaaro with us on how the government could do better for Māori health including:
✅ bringing back Green Prescriptions (GRx) to support whānau access to gyms and pools to stay active
✅ investing in more long-term programmes that uplift our rangatahi like Manu
✅ creating more positive platforms like this kaupapa that builds pride, connection, and wellbeing

A big mihi to Scott and the team for putting on a great event that encouraged water safety, and brought whānau together through Manu, movement and fun!

🌊 Check out the video here 🎥

30/01/2026

📄 Our Position Statement on 12-Month Prescriptions 📄

Kia ora e te whānau. Did you know that from 1 February 2026, prescribers will be able to issue prescriptions for up to 12 months?

While this may sound more convenient, without strong safeguards it risks deepening medicines-related inequities for Māori.

Our position statement outlines why Te Tiriti-aligned, equity-led implementation is essential to protect safety, continuity of care, and whānau wellbeing.

👉 Read more: https://tetiratu.co.nz/2026/01/22/position-statement-12-month-prescriptions-2/

28/01/2026

☀️🤝 Staying Connected Over Summer 🤝☀️

Summer can be a good time to slow down and reconnect with whānau.
It can also be a time when some people feel more isolated, as routines change and support systems or whānau gatherings ease off.

👥 Here are a few simple ways to deepen connections this week:
• Check in with kaumātua - a visit or phone call can mean a lot
• Make time for meaningful kōrero, even if it’s brief
• Notice who might be a little quieter than usual and reach out
• Be present - often listening can be just as important as talking

Remember, hauora isn’t just physical. Leaning into connection, aroha, and manaaki plays a really important role in overall wellbeing. 🤍❤️🖤

23/01/2026

🌦️ Kia ora e te whānau 🌦️

With the recent state of emergency across our rohe, our thoughts are with all whānau who have been affected, and a huge mihi to all the organisations and volunteer teams that have been a part of the emergency response.

It is a good time to check how ready we are if conditions change quickly again. A few simple steps to prepare now can make a big difference for the next event:

📋 Make an Emergency plan
Know who you will contact, where you will go if you need to leave your home, and how you will stay connected

🎒 Prepare a Grab bag
Have three days' of essential supplies for your whānau, packed and easy to grab.

📲 Stay informed
Follow trusted local updates before and during severe weather⬇️

• Civil Defence Waikato | https://www.waikatocivildefence.govt.nz/
• MetService New Zealand | https://www.metservice.com/national
• NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi - Waikato & Bay of Plenty | www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner

Waikato Regional Council
Thames-Coromandel District Council
Hamilton City Council
Waipā District Council
South Waikato District Council
Hauraki District Council
Waikato District Council

Kia haumaru te noho!

20/01/2026

🌿 Kia ora e te whānau 🌿

When rangatahi know who they are and where they belong, they’re better placed to shape their own futures. Solutions must be local, kaupapa Māori, and whānau-led.

Our Whānau Voice kaimahi recently visited Ko Wai Au Trust in Te Awamutu to learn more about their kaupapa Māori approach to supporting rangatahi and their whānau, combining hauora and mentoring with education and life skills.

👉 Read more about this awesome kaupapa here: https://tetiratu.co.nz/2026/01/13/changing-rangatahi-lives-in-te-awamutu/

15/01/2026

☀️ Sun Care for Raumati | Gentle Reminders ☀️

Summer is a beautiful time to be outside with whānau, but the Aotearoa sun can creep up on us quickly.

Here’s a few small habits that can help keep everyone comfortable and protected while enjoying the long days together:
👕 Wear a light, protective shirt
🧴 Add sunscreen and top it up through the day
👒 Wear a wide-brim hat
💧 Keep hydrated with plenty of wai

We hope you're all enjoying a safe and refreshing raumati.

12/01/2026

👣 Kia ora e te whānau 👣

Preventable diabetes-related complications are costing too many people their limbs, independence, and lives.

Māori with diabetes are about 65% more likely than non-Māori to undergo an amputation, and to experience it earlier in life, resulting in profound social and economic costs for whānau and the health system.

🩺 Current health system settings are falling short.
High-risk patients are limited to just four funded podiatry visits per year, which is below international best practice and contributes to avoidable suffering, amputations, and hospitalisations.

🚨 Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board is calling for urgent action to double the amount of funded podiatry visits per year from four to eight, this would:
• Prevent avoidable amputations and hospital admissions
• Save millions in direct and indirect system costs
• Support whānau independence, dignity, and wellbeing
• Address inequitable outcomes and meet Te Tiriti obligations

Te Tiratū will continue to advocate for this response to save lives, protect limbs, reduce costs, and restore mana motuhake for whānau Māori.

👉 Read the full Diabetes and Podiatry Position Statement here:
https://tetiratu.co.nz/2025/10/08/position-statement-diabetes-podiatry/

Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board calls for urgent action to expand diabetes podiatry services for Māori. Prevent amputations, reduce hospital costs, and uphold Te Tiriti by investing in culturally grounded, preventive foot care. Read the full Position Statement.

10/01/2026

🚣‍♀️ Waka Ama Sprint Nationals 2026 🌊
Sending our best wishes to all the athletes competing this week at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals on our beautiful Lake Karāpiro. It’s always an exciting week of racing, connection, and whānau support.

We were lucky to catch up with Georgia Barnett, who’s competing for Ngā Tai Whakarongo Whānau Hoe Waka. She shares what drew her to waka ama and how the competition, the social interactions, and the time spent outdoors all play a significant role in supporting her overall hauora.

✨ If watching the Nationals has you thinking about giving waka ama a go, she also shares some quick safety messages on what to keep in mind when getting out in the waka!
Equipment safety checks
Checking weather conditions, and
Telling someone when and where you’re going out.

📍 Want to know more about the event?
You can find event details and race times here: https://wakaama.co.nz/racecalendar/lookup/2304

08/01/2026

📊 Our Quarterly Monitoring Report 📊

Kia ora e te whānau, we’ve just released our latest monitoring report, which shows small but encouraging signs of progress in some Māori health outcomes, alongside challenges that remain all too familiar for many of our whānau. Where Māori-led monitoring and kaupapa Māori approaches are in place, we’re seeing stronger data, deeper engagement, and clearer insights into what’s working and what still needs to change.

At the same time, the report highlights ongoing inequities that continue to impact our people:
• Lower childhood immunisation and preventive care
• Higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory illness and cancer
• Disproportionately high mental-health hospitalisations, including for self-harm
• Structural barriers that limit access to timely, culturally safe care, especially in rural communities

These health inequities lead to avoidable suffering, social costs, and lost potential for whānau, communities, and the country at large.

We’ll continue our mahi to tackle the systems and conditions that shape health in the first place. The message is clear: when Māori are empowered to lead healthcare for our people, outcomes improve.

🔗 Read the full Quarterly Monitoring Report here: https://tetiratu.co.nz/2025/12/03/quarterly-monitoring-report-on-te-whatu-ora/