Te Tara o Te Whai, with the support of Hauraki PHO, Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki and the haukaainga of Manaia Marae, hosted an initial public engagement hui on the 15th of September to help share the background and intention of the current health reforms and the Locality Planning Process.
Over 100 attendees were present at the hui including local whaanau, kuia and kaumaatua, health, social services, youth organisations, Government and community representatives to:
1. Understand what the reforms process is and what the background/impetuous of the locality planning process in relation to the Pae Ora Act 2.To hear about the background of the Wai 2575 Health Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry from Lady Tureiti-Moxon 3.To explore and inquire what the future of health might look like for the communities of Hauraki, what are some key priorities to consider and how might attendees help to gather whaanau voice who must be at the center of this work.
How the day unfolded The facilitators of the day were Kaye-Maree and Mita Dunn of Making Everything Achievable Limited supported by the League of Live Illustrators who helped to guide and build on the theme of the conversations held on the day.
The koorero opened with a short backgrounder on the meaning behind Te Tara o Te Whai (Whai is described as a sting ray and the Tara is the barb). The Whai is known to the hapuu communities across the Hauraki as a Kaitiaki – guardian which also has a sting if it under threat or at risk. This helped build the metaphor of the group of Kaitiaki charged with the responsibility of overseeing the development of our regional locality plan and wil also proactively challenge issues or barriers when they arise.
Setting the Foundations
Lady Tureiti Moxon shared a presentation on the Wai 2575 claim that provided an excellent foundation for the challenges Iwi Maaori have presented to the Crown including funding and workforce equity and the ability to determine solutions and outcomes that best suit the communities they serve.
Charlaine Chee and Hinewai Pomare shared the more detailed background of the Localities process including the design of the localities engagement, how it will roll out and how important this process is for every single person in the region.
The final part of the day invited participants to share their solutions, ideas and aspirations around the key themes and present back their reflections.
Conversations explored:
Haukaainga – Whaanau Voice
Health Determinants
Systemic Change
Puutea
Data
Rongoaa Maaori
Maternal Health and Data
All participants were asked what they might need help with and what they might be willing to share to help guide the next phase of work over the months ahead in hosting community hui, pulling together the regional locality plan and exploring what a healthy future could look like for all 50,000 plus residents who live within the Hauraki boundaries.
So, whats next? - It's cool to koorero!
Now the heavy lifting begins where information packs will be made available on this site and also out to any interested community members to help gather whaanau voice and perspectives on what they believe are the key health priorities for the region. We are inviting Iwi, hapuu, marae, local and central government, community groups, organisations, youth groups, businesses to help us push this koorero hauora across our region and into the hands, hearts and minds of as many people as possible. Sign up to our email list or our e-newsletter so you can stay updated on what we are doing and how we hope to work in partnership with you to make this work.
Ngaa paatai - Frequently Asked Questions
What is a locality? A locality is a place, and people, based approach to improving the health of populations, as well as a mechanism for organising health and social services to meet the needs identified by whaanau, community and Iwi-Maaori Partnership Boards. There are three characteristics to a locality. First, it is a partnership with mana whenua, recognising their tino rangatiratanga. Second, the approach supports locally led solutions that take a holistic approach to wellbeing, acknowledging the range of other factors that impact on a person’s health. Third, the locality approach will join up care across communities and improve integration with different layers of the health and social system. There are formal working arrangements within the locality approach that underpin this new way of working: Locality partnerships will be formed across iwi, health and social care and community organisations. Locality partnerships will work with Iwi-Maaori Partnership Boards, Health New Zealand and the Maaori Health Authority to develop locality plans – these will set out how the agreed objectives will be achieved. Provider networks will work together to deliver on the locality plan. The mechanisms bringing together providers across health and social care will include contractual arrangements, shared financial incentives and data sharing arrangements. Provider networks will work with a wider group of community organisations to support comprehensive primary care teams – making more care available closer to home.
What is a Locality Plan? Each locality will have a three-year locality plan, co-developed with the locality partnership group by Health New Zealand, the Maaori Health Authority, Iwi-Maaori Partnership Boards and communities, including service providers. The plan will bring together national expectations and the priorities, needs and contexts of mana whenua and local communities. Once signed off, locality plans will drive procurement by Health New Zealand and the Maaori Health Authority and be the basis for progress monitoring.
Will Localities commission services? Localities are not intended to commission services directly. However, the partners within a locality will work with Health New Zealand and the Maaori Health Authority to provide local insights about the needs of communities. Iwi-Maaori Partnership Boards are strategic commissioning partners with Health New Zealand and the Maaori Health Authority and will help determine Maaori needs, aspirations and priorities and monitoring of locality plans. Health New Zealand and the Maaori Health Authority will carry out the formal procurement and contracting role.
What is Te Whatu Ora? Te Whatu Ora is responsible for improving services and outcomes across the health system. Working in partnership with Te Aka Whai Ora - Maaori Health Authority , Te Whatu Ora is developing an interim New Zealand Health Plan – a blueprint for what the health system will deliver over the next two years. Localities plans will be fed into this national plan to ensure our communities have a say about what they want the health system to look like for them. Te Whatu Ora translates as the weaving of wellness'. Though there can be other conceptual interpretations of the name, one context for Te Whatu Ora is found in the weaving of culture – bringing two or more strands together to weave a basket; a basket of life.
Listen to Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Chief Executive Margie Apa, Te Aka Whai Ora - Maaori Health Authority Chief Executive Riana Manuel and Minister of Health Hon. Andrew Little talk about their organisations and the mahi they intend to do here.
What is Te Aka Whai Ora? Te Aka Whai Ora - Maaori Health Authority is an independent Public Health agency responsible to enhance tino rangatiratanga and strengthen mana motuhake for hauora Maaori and ensure greater influence throughout the entire health system to support whaanau to take control of their own health and wellbeing. This is central to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensuring everyone in Aotearoa has the same access to good health outcomes. A broad plan to implement this new approach to health was established in July 2022 to help guide the transition towards delivering more equitable maaori health outcomes. The meaning of Te Aka Whai Ora is a nod to the ancestral world and firm vision towards a healthy future for all.
Te Akais founded in the pūrākau (ancient legend) of Tāwhaki who endeavoured to seek ancestral knowledge.
Whai Orais to pursue health and likens the Maaori Health Authority (and all its communities, whaanau, and health providers) to Tāwhaki in seeking out ora or health and wellbeing.
Listen to Rahui Papa talk about the naming of the new entities responsible for our health and wellbeing. What are Iwi Maaori Partnership Boards (IMPB's)? What is their function? Iwi Maaori Partnership Boards enable iwi, hapūu and whaanau to exercise rangatiratanga in their rohe. They ensure tangata whenua voices are heard and local health services reflect those who need and use them.
It is envisaged that the core functions of Iwi Maaori Partnership Boards to be considered will include:
engaging with whaanau and hapuu, and sharing the resulting insights and perspectives with Health NZ, the Maaori Health Authority, and the wider health system
assessing and evaluating the current state of hauora Maaori in their locality or localities, and to determine priorities for improving hauora Maaori
to agree locality priorities and plans with Health NZ and the Maaori Health Authority
monitoring the performance of the health system in their locality or localities, including against the locality plan
reporting on their own activities to whaanau and haapori Maaori, and other relevant partners.
To understand IMBP's and their role in the new era of health click here
Ngaa Rauemi
Keep an eye out here for a toolkit and helpful resources we hope can support you. If you have any questions, please contact Kris here
