Kaiatawhai Service
Nelson Bays Primary Health has an amazing Kaiatawhai Service, offering free support for people who face barriers to accessing healthcare. While Māori and Pacific peoples are prioritised, the service is open to anyone who needs support.
The team includes a Kaiawhina (Community Connector), Kaiārahi Hauora (Health Navigator) and Nehi (Nurse). Together, they can help whānau understand their health needs, set achievable goals, and connect them with the right services.
They can help with appointments and referrals, and link whānau with GPs, specialists, and community services, making healthcare easier to access and less overwhelming.
If you or someone in your whānau could benefit, talk with your Māori health provider, general practice, or a community agency about a referral.
Legislation update
The Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill has passed its second reading, with the Health Committee’s majority recommendations agreed to. The bill is now scheduled for Committee Stage, where all members have the opportunity to examine the bill in detail.
Once the House reaches majority agreement on the Bill, it will proceed to its third reading. It’s important to note that it doesn’t become law until it receives Royal Assent from the Governor-General. The timeframe for Royal Assent can vary—sometimes it’s just a few sitting days, but it can extend over several weeks depending on the level of debate and any amendments proposed during Committee Stage.
In the meantime, current legislation and policy remain in effect.
For more on the impact on Iwi Māori Partnership Boards, see here.
Are you enrolled with a PHO?
Primary healthcare is not immune from system change as a new private Primary Healthcare Organisation – “The PHO” – formed by the General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) awaits approval from Te Whatu Ora. GenPro says it has 116 practices with 833,000 enrolled patients ready to join up. Amid the shakeup, Te Whatu Ora has published a new dashboard which provides details on PHOs nationwide, including enrolments.
Enrolment in a primary health organisation (PHO) is voluntary. Most New Zealanders are, however, enrolled through their general practice and gain the benefits associated with belonging to a PHO, which can include cheaper doctors’ visits and reduced prescription costs.
In Nelson/Tasman, there is a total of 111,896 people enrolled with Hauora Matua ki Te Tai Aorere Nelson Bays Primary Health, while in Marlborough, 47,154 people are enrolled with Kimi Hauora Wairau Marlborough Primary Health.
In Te Tauihu, 82% of Māori are enrolled with a PHO versus 92% of the population. (Source: Enrolment with a General Practice (PHO) March 2023), meaning a larger proportion of Māori are missing out on vital services.
Now is a good time to check you are enrolled and pass this message on to whānau and friends.
Te Pito Mata grants open!
Te Whatu Ora Te Pitomata Grants support the development of the Māori health workforce. The grants can be used for tuition fees, course-related costs and living expenses.
To be eligible, students must be of Māori descent and undertaking a course of study in a health-related/patient-facing programme accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Rongoā Māori students must be studying with a Rongoā Māori provider or being supported by a Rongoā Māori tohunga.
Applications open: 12pm, March 9, 2026
Applications close: 12pm, April 1, 2026
For more information, see here.
Nau mai Holly!
This week, we welcomed Holly Irvine to the tari as our Whānau Voice and Engagement Support. We have a very small team and Holly’s strong commitment and work ethic are already making a difference!
Holly’s energy and enthusiasm is pretty impressive. Outside of mahi and study (she is in her third year of a Bachelor of Counselling at NMIT), she loves waka ama, mau rakau, beach and indoor volleyball, hunting and fishing, CrossFit and the gym.
Holly will be out and about in the community, encouraging and supporting whānau to share their experiences and aspirations for hauora in Te Tauihu via our Whānau Voice universal survey.
Over to Holly to tell you a little more ….
Kia ora, ko wai au?
Hui ā-Tau 2026
Thank those who attended the Hui ā-Tau for Te Kāhui Hauora o Te Tauihu IMPB at Ūkaipō in Wairau on Saturday.
We had a strong turnout, and we acknowledge in particular the support of so many of our hauora partners across Te Tauihu.
We extend a mihi to whānau, our iwi partners, our hauora partners, and those within the health system who continue to work with us in good faith and who understand the importance of authentic relationships.
The inequities experienced by our people are not of our making. Addressing these requires system change, and meaningful change requires the collective effort of whānau, hapū, iwi, providers, clinicians, health leaders, and policymakers all working together.
Saturday showed us that this is possible.
E mihi ana ki ērā i angitu ai tēnei rā. We mihi also to all of you who helped make this day a success.