Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga
Matariki marks a time to reflect on the past, honour those who have passed, and set intentions for the year ahead. It is also a time to reset our focus on hauora—not just physical health, but the wellbeing of whānau, wairua, hinengaro and whenua.
Within this, rongoā Māori—our traditional healing practices—remind us of the deep connection between people, land, and wellbeing. As Matariki rises, we are called to uphold mātauranga Māori in the health system, to restore balance, and to support pathways of healing that reflect our own values and tikanga.
At Te Kāhui Hauora, this season renews our commitment to equity, to listening to whānau, and to advocating for a system that nourishes the mauri of our people.
It was a beautiful weekend here in Te Tauihu as whānau and communities from Mohua to Wairau came together to celebrate Matariki. After a rough year politically, it was heartening to see so many from our communities wholeheartedly embracing Matariki, eager to learn and support.
Hundreds turned out for a public hautapu ceremony hosted by Rangitāne o Wairau, while in Whakatū, thousands attended the regional secondary school kapa haka competition, Taku Kara Tīpuna, at the Trafalgar Centre, and thousands more joined later in the day for Te Huihui-o-Matariki 2025. The Matariki event at Waikawa Marae was another chance for the community to come together and the hautapu ceremony at Wairau Pā hosted by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua was also a beautiful occasion.
For Te Kāhui Hauora, the year ahead brings further change as we await to hear more about the Coalition Government’s proposed changes to the Pae Ora Act (2022), under which Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards were established.
Earlier this year, we farewelled Pouwhakahaere Patricia Joseph as well as board members Patrick Smith and Vicky Thorn. We thank them for all their mahi in mapping out a path forward for Te Kāhui Hauora.
As we continue work to achieve better hauora outcomes for whānau Māori in Te Tauihu, please feel free to get in touch and keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to make your voice heard on our local health system.
Ngā mihi nui o te Tau Hou Māori.
Naomi Solomon
Pouwhakahaere Chief Executive Officer (Interim)
Focused on the future
It was great news for Te Piki Oranga and all of us who use their services with the announcement that it will realise a long-held dream to bring services in Whakatū and Waimeha together at a new health hub in Stoke.
The new hub will be at 199 Nayland Road, at the former ‘Otumarama’ site in Stoke. Renovations and site improvements are under way and it should be ready by November. You can read more about it here.
‘Whītikitaua ... that’s us, wāhine mā!’
Wāhine toa from Te Piki Oranga, Rangitāne o Wairau, Waikawa Marae, the Māori Women’s Welfare League, Hawaiki Kura, and the Pasifika Trust recently came together to share a collective message of care and commitment to whānau wellbeing with the campaign: ‘Whītiki taua ... that’s us, wāhine mā!’
“We are saying ‘Whītiki taua … that’s us, wāhine mā!’ as a call to action to all the māmā, nannies, sisters, aunties, cousins, and besties to check in with each other,” said Lorraine Staunton, Kaiwhakahaere Ratonga at Te Piki Oranga.
“Let’s make sure we're up to date with our breast screening,” Lorraine says. “Let’s book our appointments and show up together, knowing that Te Piki Oranga is there to awhi you through the experience. Because when breast cancer is found early, it can be treated. That’s the truth.”
In Te Tauihu, the screening rates are:
- Wāhine Māori: 68.3%
- Pasifika wāhine: 53.6%
- Non-Māori, non-Pasifika women: 77.1%
New board members
Te Kāhui Hauora has welcomed two new faces to the board.
Rebecca Mason is the new representative for Ngāti Kuia, while Irihāpeti Mahuika joins us as the representative for Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō.
To read more more about our board members, see here.
