A morning with the NPHS
Getting out and talking to people about our mahi is always a highlight.
Last week, Pouwhakahaere Kim Ngawhika was invited to speak at the Matariki event for the National Public Health Service - Te Tauihu | Nelson Marlborough.
We gave an update of our work and shared context around Whānau Voice and why listening matters, acknowledging that every day our NPHS kaimahi are at the forefront of delivering critical programmes within their communities.
A huge mihi to Felicity Spencer, NPHS, Te Tauihu Community & Whānau Wellbeing Manager, for the invitation, Vince Barry, NPHS Regional Director Te Waipounamu, and the entire NPHS team.
Ngā Matapihi o te Wairua
Last month, Nelson Bays Primary Health hosted Ngā Matapihi o te Wairua, a national forum that brings together Māori leaders from across primary health care to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, and collectively advance equitable health outcomes for whānau Māori.
The two-day hui began with a pōwhiri at Whakatū Marae, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on the Nelson Tenths, providing important historical context, and a tour of sites of significance, where attendees heard local kōrero and gained a deeper understanding of the stories, people, and places that have shaped Whakatū.
Day two was dedicated to the work of the forum, with leaders discussing current priorities, emerging opportunities, and the evolving primary health landscape.
Ngā Matapihi o te Wairua is supported by General Practice New Zealand (GPNZ) and includes Māori health leaders from Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), Hauora Māori providers, and Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand. Its purpose is to strengthen Māori leadership in primary care and collectively advocate for better health outcomes for whānau Māori.
The group's work is guided by values including:
- Tika, pono, aroha (integrity, honesty, compassion)
- Kotahitanga (unity)
- Whanaungatanga (relationships and connectedness)
- Tautoko te tahi ki te tahi (supporting one another)
- Āwhinatia (helping and uplifting others)
Rather than being a conference or one-off event, Ngā Matapihi o te Wairua is an ongoing national network. Members meet regularly for wānanga and hui to discuss Māori health priorities, share innovations, influence policy, and strengthen relationships across the primary health sector.
Pēpi Ora – Supporting Māmā, Pēpi and Whānau
Maataa Waka ki Te Tauihu will this month deliver their first Pēpi Ora Wānanga at Omaka Marae.
The new initiative is being delivered across Te Tauihu to support the wellbeing of māmā, pēpi, and whānau during one of life’s most important journeys.
The programme provides holistic support throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period, helping māmā build confidence, strengthen connections, and access the care they need to thrive. Support is delivered through wānanga, structured hui, one-to-one mentoring, and wraparound care for māmā experiencing anxiety, postnatal challenges, or adjustment to parenthood.
At the heart of Pēpi Ora is whanaungatanga. The programme creates opportunities for whānau to connect with others, learn new skills, share experiences, and build supportive relationships that continue long after the programme ends.
For more information, see here or email Kowhai ([email protected]).
Clinical Lead
Clinical Lead
Whakatū, preferred – but negotiable
Fixed term: Now – July 31, 2027
Te Kāhui Hauora o Te Tauihu IMPB has a vacancy for a Clinical Lead to provides clinical leadership across Te Kāhui Hauora, ensuring that whānau voice informs clinical thinking, service improvement, and system transformation.
Working alongside the Pouwhakahaere and Whānau Voice Lead, the Clinical Lead provides clinical leadership to support the implementation of Te Kāhui Hauora's Community Health Plan. By interpreting Whānau Voice through a clinical lens and working collaboratively across the health system, the Clinical Lead helps translate strategic priorities into practical improvements that enhance the health and wellbeing of whānau across Te Tauihu.
The Clinical Lead will represent Te Kāhui Hauora within clinical and sector forums, building trusted relationships with Health New Zealand, Primary Health Organisations, clinicians, providers, iwi, and community partners. The role works across organisational boundaries to influence clinical pathways, improve equity, and support more integrated, whānau-centred models of care.
Rather than providing direct clinical services, the Clinical Lead acts as the bridge between the experiences of whānau and the clinical systems that shape their healthcare journeys, ensuring that whānau voice informs operational direction, service improvement, and strategic decision-making.
Success in this role will be reflected not only in stronger clinical relationships, but in measurable improvements against Te Kāhui Hauora's Community Health Plan and the experiences of whānau as captured through the annual Whānau Voice survey.
Ngā āhuatanga | About you
- Current registration and Annual Practising Certificate in an appropriate health profession.
- Extensive experience working within the New Zealand health system.
- Demonstrated clinical leadership and experience leading or contributing to quality improvement or service redesign initiatives.
- Strong understanding of health pathways across primary, community, hospital, and kaupapa Māori health services.
- Experience working collaboratively with Māori communities and kaupapa Māori organisations.
- Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within health.
- Knowledge of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 and the role of Iwi Māori Partnership Boards is desirable.
- Able to translate complex clinical issues into practical advice and action.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Committed to kaupapa Māori, equity, and continuous improvement.
If this sounds like you, please email a cover letter and your CV to Pouwhakahaere Kim Ngawhika at [email protected] by Friday, July 25, 2026.
Whānau Voice Lead
Whānau Voice Lead
Whakatū, preferred – but negotiable
Fixed term: Now – July 31, 2027
Te Kāhui Hauora o Te Tauihu IMPB is on the lookout for a Whānau Voice Lead to support our Whānau Voice programme and ensure the lived experiences, aspirations, and voices of whānau remain central to the organisation's planning, monitoring, and improvement activities.
Working closely with iwi, marae, hauora providers, and community partners, the Whānau Voice Lead co-ordinates the ongoing delivery of the Whānau Voice programme, including engagement, survey implementation, thematic analysis, reporting, communications, and monitoring.
As well as working to develop and maintain trusted relationships with iwi, hapū, marae, hauora providers, and whānau, the Whānau Voice lead will:
- Actively participate in the collection of Whānau Voice through surveys, interviews, hui, case studies, community events, and engagement activities across Te Tauihu.
- Co-ordinate commissioning arrangements with iwi and community partners where appropriate.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships that encourage meaningful participation from whānau.
- Maintain high standards of data quality, confidentiality, cultural safety, and integrity.
- Support iwi-led approaches to gathering Whānau Voice.
- Maintain visibility within communities by regularly participating in iwi, marae, provider, and community events.
- Prepare reports, summaries, presentations, dashboards, and briefing material.
- Identify emerging themes, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a relevant tertiary qualification in public health, research, community development, Māori development, social sciences, or a related discipline.
- Has experience co-ordinating research, surveys, or community engagement programmes.
- Has experience collecting, organising, and analysing qualitative and quantitative information.
- Has experience working with iwi, marae, kaupapa Māori organisations, and Māori communities.
- Holds a strong understanding of kaupapa Māori approaches to engagement.
- Experience preparing reports, presentations, and communicating complex information clearly.
- Knowledge of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 and the role of Iwi Māori Partnership Boards is desirable.
- Displays strong interpersonal skills.
- Holds deep respect for whānau stories and lived experience.
- Culturally grounded, empathetic, and collaborative.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Passionate about improving hauora Māori outcomes.
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement.
If this sounds like you, please email a cover letter and your CV to Pouwhakahaere Kim Ngawhika at [email protected] by Friday, July 25, 2026.