Latest news with #hauoraMāori
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Innovative Report Shows Collaboration To Improve Māori Health Would Increase Regional Productivity By $122m Annually
Press Release – HBREDA The research only further highlights the importance of Mori health to Hawkes Bays future. This issue is not going to go away, especially as the working age population of Mori is expected to grow to 43,540 within the next two decades. A co-ordinated effort to help improve the health of working age Hawke's Bay Māori can lead to a productivity increase worth $122 million a year and supply an extra 1,800 workers for Hawke's Bay, an innovative new study has found. The report, 'Health and productivity opportunities: Assessing the economic value of addressing priority health conditions in Hawke's Bay working-age Māori', was commissioned jointly by Hawke's Bay Regional Development Agency (REDA) and theTihei Tākitimu Iwi-Māori Partnership Board. Produced by NZIER economists Sarah Hogan and Tom Dunn, the report is thought to be the first in New Zealand to consider the critical links between Māori wellbeing and regional economic development. Māori make up 29 percent of Hawke's Bay's overall working population and play a vital role in the food and fibre sector industries, along with regional recovery. 'The research shows that Hawke's Bay's working age Māori aren't accessing health care early enough, for a variety of reasons, which leads to more serious primary health conditions,' Lucy Laitinen, REDA's CEO says. 'One of the reasons it's so difficult for Māori to access health services is because they largely work in agriculture, forestry, and fishing with little or no flexibility in their working hours. They also earn less than the regional average. These are among the issues driving the relatively low use of preventative care which leads to the high rate of ED visits.'' Tihei Tākitimu Iwi-Māori Partnership Board co-chair Lewis Ratapu says the report provides the wider community with a burning platform to think about and act differently in how health services to Māori are delivered. We need to invest more effectively and deliver services targeting mental illness and addiction, diabetes and cardiovascular disease so Māori can lead happier, healthier lives, provide for their whānau and continue to make a productive contribution to the local community. Ratapu hopes the collaboration with REDA ensures health stays on the agenda for local regional leaders – the Matariki Governance Group – as it considers its priorities over the coming year. He noted the Regional Recovery Plan identified a need for 2,500 extra people to deliver the recovery programme over the next three years and with co-ordination needed to address current and future workforce requirements. 'We will be actively encouraging and facilitating a joined-up approach to addressing this issue, including exploring alternative health service models with large local employers, iwi, hauora Māori and health service providers and local and central government working together to trial different options for Māori that suit their needs, Ratapu says. The research only further highlights the importance of Māori health to Hawke's Bay's future. This issue is not going to go away, especially as the working age population of Māori is expected to grow to 43,540 within the next two decades. Together as a community we have to improve Māori health now,' Ms Laitinen says.
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Innovative Report Shows Collaboration To Improve Māori Health Would Increase Regional Productivity By $122m Annually
Press Release – HBREDA The research only further highlights the importance of Mori health to Hawkes Bays future. This issue is not going to go away, especially as the working age population of Mori is expected to grow to 43,540 within the next two decades. A co-ordinated effort to help improve the health of working age Hawke's Bay Māori can lead to a productivity increase worth $122 million a year and supply an extra 1,800 workers for Hawke's Bay, an innovative new study has found. The report, 'Health and productivity opportunities: Assessing the economic value of addressing priority health conditions in Hawke's Bay working-age Māori', was commissioned jointly by Hawke's Bay Regional Development Agency (REDA) and theTihei Tākitimu Iwi-Māori Partnership Board. Produced by NZIER economists Sarah Hogan and Tom Dunn, the report is thought to be the first in New Zealand to consider the critical links between Māori wellbeing and regional economic development. Māori make up 29 percent of Hawke's Bay's overall working population and play a vital role in the food and fibre sector industries, along with regional recovery. 'The research shows that Hawke's Bay's working age Māori aren't accessing health care early enough, for a variety of reasons, which leads to more serious primary health conditions,' Lucy Laitinen, REDA's CEO says. 'One of the reasons it's so difficult for Māori to access health services is because they largely work in agriculture, forestry, and fishing with little or no flexibility in their working hours. They also earn less than the regional average. These are among the issues driving the relatively low use of preventative care which leads to the high rate of ED visits.'' Tihei Tākitimu Iwi-Māori Partnership Board co-chair Lewis Ratapu says the report provides the wider community with a burning platform to think about and act differently in how health services to Māori are delivered. We need to invest more effectively and deliver services targeting mental illness and addiction, diabetes and cardiovascular disease so Māori can lead happier, healthier lives, provide for their whānau and continue to make a productive contribution to the local community. Ratapu hopes the collaboration with REDA ensures health stays on the agenda for local regional leaders – the Matariki Governance Group – as it considers its priorities over the coming year. He noted the Regional Recovery Plan identified a need for 2,500 extra people to deliver the recovery programme over the next three years and with co-ordination needed to address current and future workforce requirements. 'We will be actively encouraging and facilitating a joined-up approach to addressing this issue, including exploring alternative health service models with large local employers, iwi, hauora Māori and health service providers and local and central government working together to trial different options for Māori that suit their needs, Ratapu says. The research only further highlights the importance of Māori health to Hawke's Bay's future. This issue is not going to go away, especially as the working age population of Māori is expected to grow to 43,540 within the next two decades. Together as a community we have to improve Māori health now,' Ms Laitinen says.
Scoop
15 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Innovative Report Shows Collaboration To Improve Māori Health Would Increase Regional Productivity By $122m Annually
A co-ordinated effort to help improve the health of working age Hawke's Bay Māori can lead to a productivity increase worth $122 million a year and supply an extra 1,800 workers for Hawke's Bay, an innovative new study has found. The report, 'Health and productivity opportunities: Assessing the economic value of addressing priority health conditions in Hawke's Bay working-age Māori', was commissioned jointly by Hawke's Bay Regional Development Agency (REDA) and theTihei Tākitimu Iwi-Māori Partnership Board. Produced by NZIER economists Sarah Hogan and Tom Dunn, the report is thought to be the first in New Zealand to consider the critical links between Māori wellbeing and regional economic development. Māori make up 29 percent of Hawke's Bay's overall working population and play a vital role in the food and fibre sector industries, along with regional recovery. 'The research shows that Hawke's Bay's working age Māori aren't accessing health care early enough, for a variety of reasons, which leads to more serious primary health conditions,' Lucy Laitinen, REDA's CEO says. 'One of the reasons it's so difficult for Māori to access health services is because they largely work in agriculture, forestry, and fishing with little or no flexibility in their working hours. They also earn less than the regional average. These are among the issues driving the relatively low use of preventative care which leads to the high rate of ED visits.'' Tihei Tākitimu Iwi-Māori Partnership Board co-chair Lewis Ratapu says the report provides the wider community with a burning platform to think about and act differently in how health services to Māori are delivered. We need to invest more effectively and deliver services targeting mental illness and addiction, diabetes and cardiovascular disease so Māori can lead happier, healthier lives, provide for their whānau and continue to make a productive contribution to the local community. Ratapu hopes the collaboration with REDA ensures health stays on the agenda for local regional leaders - the Matariki Governance Group - as it considers its priorities over the coming year. He noted the Regional Recovery Plan identified a need for 2,500 extra people to deliver the recovery programme over the next three years and with co-ordination needed to address current and future workforce requirements. 'We will be actively encouraging and facilitating a joined-up approach to addressing this issue, including exploring alternative health service models with large local employers, iwi, hauora Māori and health service providers and local and central government working together to trial different options for Māori that suit their needs, Ratapu says. The research only further highlights the importance of Māori health to Hawke's Bay's future. This issue is not going to go away, especially as the working age population of Māori is expected to grow to 43,540 within the next two decades. Together as a community we have to improve Māori health now,' Ms Laitinen says.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
'We just awhi them': Iwi-led initiative tackles school attendance crisis
An iwi entity leading a joint approach to tackle low school attendance in Whanganui and South Rangitīkei says the number of cases is sobering. But Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa, based in Marton, counts as "a huge win" its success in re-engaging more than 250 children with education last year. The students, aged between six and 16, had not been attending school regularly. "We just awhi them to try to remove any barrier," Te Puna education, training and employability manager Shonee Cooper said. In 2024, after contracting to the Ministry of Education in 2023, the rūnanga's Te Puna team worked with Whanganui hauora Māori provider Te Oranganui and schools to close 494 cases. Of those, more than half (52 percent) were closed because the children were now enrolled and attending school or engaged in alternative education. This was achieved with a workforce of three: two working in the Te Puna team in Marton and one based with Te Oranganui in Whanganui. Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa is determined to build on the success. Rūnanga general manager of operations Katarina Hina said the numbers were "sobering" but the issues sitting behind non-enrolment and unexplained absences were complex. Intervention required a broader approach than focusing only on the individual student. "Our approach is grounded in Whānau Ora. It's not just about the student, but the whole whānau," Hina said. "By understanding the wider social context, we have been able to walk alongside families to address the real barriers to attendance." The iwi was well placed to offer this support and integrated responses that were proving effective, Hina said. This included services and programmes spanning education, training, employment, health, social services, clinical care, environmental services and research. "This allows for true wraparound services, where we can refer whānau quickly across our internal teams and trusted external partners, ensuring all needs are met." Cooper said whānau were mostly "very supportive" of their children's education, but some needed help. "There are always lots of external elements - the financial pressure of living, travel, even just understanding school and education policies. It can be really frightening for whānau," Cooper told Local Democracy Reporting. "To have 494 cases closed and 52 percent re-engaged in education in one year, that was a huge win for us. Our team is amazing and tracking well, and so are our whānau. "We still have a long way to go but we're getting there and working really hard." Cooper said for those aged under 16, cases were closed only when students were re-engaged in education. Some cases were closed when young people "aged out" at 16. These rangatahi were encouraged to consider other education and training options. "We inform them of what's available to them and try really hard to get them into something." Good schooling was vital to many aspects of a child's wellbeing, and positive education outcomes helped set a strong foundation for their adult lives, Cooper said. "We don't want to see any of our babies not fulfilling their education needs. "A kura should be another arm of the whānau, another valuable community for our tamariki to be part of, one that opens up more opportunities for them." But she said a one-size-fits-all approach did not work for every child. "It's important that our kids are learning things that help them with their individual goals. Not all our kids are the same." Cooper said there were flexible options for students who were not engaging with mainstream education, including hybrid learning arrangements where rangatahi spend part of their week with the iwi and the rest at school. The rūnanga also runs a rangatahi programme, which offers tailored support for young people from across Te Ranga Tupua (a regional tribal area encompassing Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and South Taranaki). Ten rangatahi took part in the first intake. Of those, four returned to secondary school and the remaining six transitioned into full-time training. Last year, Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa hosted the first joint hui for schools across Whanganui and Rangitīkei, bringing together educational leaders, private training establishments, Sport Whanganui, and other partners to share solutions for improving school attendance.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Protecting Our Youngest Citizens: Put People Before Profit In Infant Formula Rules
Health Coalition Aotearoa is deeply concerned by reports of industry lobbying that appears to have influenced Government decisions to weaken infant formula labelling standards in Aotearoa New Zealand. "Multinational dairy companies should not dictate rules that shape the health of our youngest citizens. Caregivers deserve clear, evidence-based information-not marketing spin dressed up as science," says Sally Mackay from Health Coalition Aotearoa. The New Zealand Government opted out of an infant formula standard in August 2024. Media has recently reported on intense industry lobbying to undermine the infant formula standards for Aotearoa. Multinational dairy companies are reported to have convinced Ministers to back away from the rules. More recently, the media reported the Government is now considering a U-turn and is thinking of recommitting to the baby formula standards. Health Coalition Aotearoa supports a U-turn in the policy and a recommitment to the infant formula standard. We strongly oppose any move to prioritise corporate profits over population wellbeing. New Zealand health policies need to move away from commercial interests and keep people's best interests in mind," says Vanessa Souter from Health Coalition Aotearoa. Infant formula companies have a long history of using unproven health claims and misleading labels to suggest their products offer benefits that rival or exceed those of breastfeeding. This is simply not supported by evidence. Whānau-particularly those who cannot breastfeed-are vulnerable to this kind of marketing. They deserve protection from tactics that pressure them to buy expensive formula based on false promises. Infant caregivers-particularly those who cannot breastfeed-are vulnerable to this kind of marketing. The lack of transparency in government decision-making only adds to our concern. Industry lobbying must not come at the cost of public trust or public health. The infant formula export market is worth billions-but that should never outweigh our duty to uphold the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes or Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Article 2 of Te Tiriti affirms the need to protect hauora Māori. That includes protecting breastfeeding-an act with proven short and long-term health benefits for māmā and pēpi. Now is the time for bold, evidence-based leadership. We urge the Government to strengthen-not roll back-protections for whānau and pēpi. This means putting child health first, committing fully to The Code, and listening to trusted public health voices like the New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance and the NZ Lactation Consultants Association. Let's build a future where every caregiver has access to honest information, every pēpi gets the healthiest start, and every policy puts wellbeing before profit.
