Māori Health Runanga Year in Review
The Māori Health Runanga is the Iwi Relationship Board (IRB) and works in partnership with the Bay of Plenty
District Health Board (DHB). It is a working governance Board with all 18 Iwi of our region represented.
The Board continues to acknowledge the important role of Iwi and therefore clearly looks to the Māori Health
Runanga and the 18 mandated Iwi health representatives to provide both the strategic direction and
connection to the Māori community/grass roots voice on matters and issues important to Māori.
Key achievements of the Māori Health Runanga in the 2011/12 year are:
Active participation in the development of key strategic documents such as Bay of Plenty DHB Health
of Older People Strategy 2012-2017. In January 2012, the CEO of Bay of Plenty DHB was invited to
make a submission to the Māori Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into the determinants of wellbeing
for Māori Children. The submission was endorsed by the Chair of Bay of Plenty DHB and the Chair of
the Runanga.
Sustained leadership demonstrated through holding a combined hui with Māori Health Planning and
Funding and the Māori Health Providers to provide them with background on the current constrained
financial environment and the associated strategic challenges. Follow up actions were agreed and
included discussions between Māori Health Planning and Funding and individual Providers.
Collaborative review of the Bay of Plenty DHB values with the Board and senior executives and the
relationship between the revised values and the existing He Pou Oranga Tangata Whenua Māori
model of health was considered. The Runanga has affirmed He Pou Oranga Tangata Whenua and
believes there is good alignment between the He Pou Oranga Tangata Whenua principles and CARE.
Signing of the Midland Smokefree Vision 2025 Statement by five Midland DHBs and the Midland Iwi
Relationship Board Chairs. This is a seismic shift by collective Iwi in taking a committed stance and
endorsing the vision of Smokefree Iwi by 2025 which will result in better health outcomes for our
most treasured taonga, our children.
Endorsement of the concept of proportional universalism which is characterised by universal
application of services which are graded in scale and intensity towards those with the highest need.
Areas of need will be informed by data and thereby ensure that resources are allocated to all but
amplified where most needed, taking into account current as well as projected future needs.
The Runanga recognises the value and the impact proportional universalism will have in reducing
health inequalities and improving overall health for the total population.
Monitoring with keen interest the progress on the Bay of Plenty DHB Māori Health Plan for 2011/12.
The Māori Health Plan continues to be the key strategy that aligns to Te Ekenga Hou strategic theme
of Tuituinga Pou Hauora: Ensure responsiveness of mainstream services to Māori.
Championing and creating an environment to support the Whanau Ora policy imperatives and
changes.
The Runanga will continue its work to ensure Māori voices and concerns are heard and included in decision
making. A complete review and update of the Māori Health Runanga has been recommended with a series of
workshops/presentation to take place with all Bay of Plenty Iwi within the 2012/2013 year.
My thanks to the Runanga members, Board members, Māori Health Planning and Funding and the Bay of
Plenty DHB staff for your support during the year.
Punohu McCausland
Chair
Māori Health Runanga
9 9