Rallying call on Maori health

Cross-sector collaboration on diabetes, most cancers, mental health issues and rheumatic fever is being called for to drive future Maori health gains.

Maori health expert, Professor emeritus Sir Mason Durie, issued the rallying call in a presentation delivered to a 100-strong crowd including the community, council and healthcare leaders at Tauranga Hospital recently.


Sir Mason Durie. Picture: Supplied.

'Substantial gains have been made over the past 30 years,” says Sir Mason.

'But the next 30 years will require refocusing towards the determinants of health, requiring a collective effort that transcends sectors, iwi, disciplines and statutory authorities.

'This will lead to positive outcomes that are greater than any one agency could achieve.”

The last 30 years have seen Maori life expectancies increase by eight years for both men – from 65 to 73 – and for women, from 69 to 77. However, significant disparities remain in areas such as housing, poverty and under-age drinking, which cause health issues.

'The health sector alone cannot address these risks to health,” says Sir Mason. 'A wider community and regional response is required.”

Mauri ora - healthy lives, whanau ora - healthy families, and wai ora - healthy environments, are the three principle tenets of Pae Ora.

'Mauri Ora is about flourishing: vitality, integrity, and energy, positive relationships in the wider environment – sometimes referred to as a 'life force'.

'Whanau ora is about building whanau capability so that all whanau members can enjoy good health and wai ora recognises that good health requires healthy environments, both natural and built.”

The presentation was followed by a workshop which discussed ideas for future action, says Bay of Plenty District Health Board Chair Sally Webb.

'It was important to have someone of Sir Mason's standing present on this topic because of his 50 years of leadership in Maori health and the fact that he is such a strong exponent of the need to address wider health determinants,” says Sally.

'It was great to see so many representatives from so many agencies and iwi in attendance and how enthusiastically the message of working across communities and sectors was received.

'There was widespread acknowledgement that we cannot work in isolation on Maori health as it is an issue with such a broad base.”

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11 comments

Maori health

Posted on 30-11-2015 11:31 | By How about this view!

The health of the nation should be the clarion call, but we are a racist nation, so we must identify one ethnic minority group for increased funding? Maoridom, should be working for "their people" and investing in the future of "their people" by constructing and running their own hospital, rather than bus companies, tourist attractions and other commercial enterprises. Inequality within Maoridom is conveniently overlooked when demanding more resources from the taxpayer. Very few of the Maori that are held up as examples of NZ poverty would have any idea how their reparation funds are managed and invested and it would seem that only a chosen few see any benefit from it or any form of improvement in their lives or health.


Just to clarify

Posted on 30-11-2015 12:50 | By Waiz_guy

Firstly the whole premise of the article is about collaboration between health agencies and the community NOT about increased funding. Secondly Maori run health organisations are on the rise and running all around the country, I would say every maori person living in poverty knows how to access health organisations due to the Maori run health organisation in existence. These health organisations cater for everyone not just maori and are obviously working with the increase in the average life expectancy. Thirdly, commercial enterprises (tourism) are what drive the economy and the more maori utilising their resources to run commercial ventures the better, generally the difference beteen iwi run commercial ventures and big business in NZ is not only do they pay tax but they also put all the proceeds back into their community through investing locally or through their socially responsible provider arms like health.


what about the other 85% of kiwis?

Posted on 30-11-2015 13:23 | By Captain Sensible

So.....my health is not so important....after all, I am a second class kiwi because I am not part maori.


Take the chip off your shoulder

Posted on 30-11-2015 15:03 | By Waiz_guy

Luckily for you, you fall under the majority of people which means


Waiz_guy

Posted on 30-11-2015 15:04 | By How about this view!

Just for my improved knowledge (if that's possible!) Are you stating that these health organisations, set up primarily your Maori healthcare, are funded and run wholly by tribal, Iwi and whanau committees using settlement funds? If this is the case, BRAVO and long may the health improvements continue. I was under the impression that another satellite organisation of central government had been established to fund these dedicated services?


Funding

Posted on 30-11-2015 16:17 | By Waiz_guy

Maori Health organisations are primarily government funded as are all public health organisations. While the Government has a duty to govern on behalf of the total population, it also acknowledges that Maori health and disability needs are a responsibility for the whole sector. It also acknowledges that Maori communities should be able to define and provide for their own priorities for health and be encouraged to develop the capacity for delivery of services to Maori communities. Maori health providers tend to set up their services in low socio economic areas and deliver health and disability services to predominantly Maori clients, although certainly not exclusively to Maori clients. What does distinguish the service is the kaupapa and the delivery framework which is distinctively Maori. They provide easy accessibility, offer affordability, and make available a culturally appropriate setting.


Maori health services

Posted on 30-11-2015 18:22 | By Kenworthlogger

Why are they called maori health services if the provide health services to all kiwis? Why not call them kiwi health services?


Waiz_guy

Posted on 30-11-2015 21:19 | By How about this view!

"Maori Health organisations are primarily government funded". Your words. So where is my statement wrong? "The health of the nation should be the clarion call, but we are a racist nation, so we must identify one ethnic minority group for increased funding? Maoridom, should be working for "their people" and investing in the future of "their people" by constructing and running their own hospital"


Happy to educate you

Posted on 01-12-2015 11:38 | By Waiz_guy

Ok just to reiterate the article does not talk about increased funding, so that's where you are wrong. Government funds Maori health organisations because Maori pay tax in fact the GDP for the Maori economy in 2010 was 11 billion. One public health system for all doesn't work hence you have an over representation of Maori in poor health statistics. So they began an initiative to address Maori health issues through Maori health organisations. The only difference to public health and maori health is the framework that they deliver their health services which is generally focused on accessibility, affordability in a cultural setting. I think if iwi got all the tax money from the Govt that Maori pay for healthcare then they could provide total healthcare services. But as it rightly should be the iwi work alongside and collaborate to promote a healthy environment for all New Zealanders.


What about equality

Posted on 01-12-2015 11:54 | By Towball

My family have been here since Capt Cook arrived so why after many generations & having 1/64th Maori in us are not entitled oto the mainstream funding that so many are privey to?. We do not rely on history to change our future as so many seem to have adopted. How many settlements & prospective settlements are you seeking to change how you choose to live. If alcohol drugs mag wheels cigarettes are more important than children's accomodation food health & general well being that is unique to you only. Plenty of help so no excuses , far more now than 40yrs ago. Change is a consious decision something these people are not capable of making especially when some are benefiting from this revolving situation continuously. Sit down be taken care of why change. Where is EQUALITY NOW ?.


Equality through Maori Healthcare

Posted on 01-12-2015 12:45 | By Waiz_guy

Not really sure if any of that made sense but I'll have a go at it. Equality literally means having equal rights and opportunities such as Maori being able to define and provide for their own priorities for health. If you are a NZ citizen, Maori, European or otherwise you ARE entitled to mainstream funding. Settlement money is for settling grievances of iwi whose land had been confiscated or otherwise fraudulently obtained. Tax money is used for the provision of healthcare. Sir Mason Durie is saying the way forward is collaboration between health authorities, iwi and the community. He doesn


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