Tūpuna Parenting
Te Piki Oranga’s Tamariki Ora team in Wairau is hosting an eight-week Tūpuna Parenting Foundations course.
Through whakataukī, pūrākau and tikanga, participants learn practical ways to indigenise parenting, whānau relationships and strengthen connections to whakapapa.
This course is free. Please self-register or reach out to Mya Steele-Fonokalafi by emailing [email protected] to see if spaces are still available.
https://youtu.be/s2TsxIWrkVE?si=_xv6HdIEqebEWh2w
Making a difference for whānau
Six months after the opening of Tātari Toto Wairau Community Haemodialysis Unit, we caught up with Denis Gapper, a much-loved pāpā, koro and uncle, to see how life had changed.
The new unit has meant the end of constant travel to Nelson from his home in Blenheim, and, for Denis, it’s given him a new lease on life.
“When I got the news that Wairau was going to open the unit, I was on the verge of telling my wife, ‘righto, sell up, let’s move’. [It used to take] 10 hours, three days a week, from the time I left here to the time I got back.
“I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it here, the treatment won’t kill me, but the travel will.”
Uncle Denis says having the unit at Wairau has taken a load off him and his whānau. When we visited, he looked 10 years younger.
“It means I’ve got more freedom to go and do what I want to do. This afternoon, we’re probably going down to Picton for a ride; we either go to Picton or to Ward beach and sit there and listen to the waves crashing.
“The staff are excellent … I drive myself up there and I drive myself home – what else could I want?”
The four-chair unit is a true example of kotahitanga; it was led by Marlborough Primary Health, supported by Health New Zealand, iwi, Te Kāhui Hauora IMPB, and Te Piki Oranga. The facility also highlights the generosity of the Marlborough community. A number of local charities and philanthropic trusts have stepped up to fund dialysis chairs, TVs, resuscitation kits, heat pumps, and other vital equipment. Contributors include the Care Foundation, Marlborough Hospital Equipment Trust, Rātā Foundation, Churchill Trust, the Lotteries Community Grants, and Marlborough District Council.
Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm
Te Whatu Ora has released its Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm 2026-2029, which builds a foundation for a comprehensive and strategic health-system response to address substance-related harm.
The plan sets out the key actions the health system will undertake to strengthen New Zealand’s health response to increasing substance-related harm experienced by individuals, families and communities across the four priority areas of the mental health portfolio.
This plan recognises that substance harm is not just a health issue — it is a whānau, community, and equity issue and commits the system to prevention, early support, and treatment that is culturally grounded, evidence-based, and responsive to those most impacted.
For Hauora Māori Services, this includes a clear focus on reducing harm for Māori and leading work on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), supporting whānau early and across the life course.
You can find the action plan here.
New appointments to Te Whatu Ora board
Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced a new chair and members for the Board of Health New Zealand.
Mark Darrow has been appointed Chair for a three-year term, commencing May 1, 2026.
“Mr Darrow is an experienced board chair and director with a strong track record across both the private and public sectors, including health. He brings expertise in finance, audit, risk, and assurance, which will be critical to driving performance and accountability,” says Minister Brown.
Michael Schubert and Dr Bryan Betty have also been appointed to the Board.
“Mr Schubert is a professional director experienced in supporting organisations with financial stewardship, audit and risk, and organisational change. He has governance experience in complex, highly regulated environments, including in health.
“Dr Betty is a specialist general practitioner who is well-respected as a sector leader and who has considerable governance experience. He will bring additional clinical and health system expertise to the Board, particularly in relation to primary care, which is a key priority for the Government.”
“As we look ahead, the Board will play a key role in supporting the transition to a nationally planned, locally and regionally delivered health system. From July 1, this will shift decision-making closer to patients, communities and frontline services, helping ensure care is more responsive to local needs."
Kia Hūkere te Hoe
A huge mihi to those whānau who took the time to chat about our Whānau Voice kaupapa at Kia Hūkere te Hoe in Wairau. 
Holly and Maria were on the stall in between performing and being on call for first aid.
It was a great couple of days, and our thanks go to the organisers, Te Tauihu Kapa Haka, for having us.
'That's Us, Wāhine Mā!'
Te Tauihu Māori hauora provider Te Piki Oranga is leading a screening campaign – That’s Us, Wāhine Mā – offering breast screening at Ukaipō in Grovetown, Wairau from now through to Friday, May 15.
It’s free for wāhine Māori and Pacific women aged 45-74. Bookings are essential - text/call Kaye on 027 836 6017 or phone 0800 270 200.
On Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, extended services are also available, including cervical screening, immunisations, health checks, rongoā, hearing tests, and hauora support.
Don’t miss out, it’s a great way to get those health checks ticked off the list in a beautiful, caring environment. Bring a whānau member or a friend.
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.