Te Iwi Kainga

Back row from left: Yvette Grace, Board member; Mere Kerehi, Rangitane o Wairarapa; Hariata Tahana, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa; Hone Hurihanganui, Rangitane o Wairarapa

Front row from left: Janine Vollebregt, Board Deputy Chair; Bob Francis, Board Chair; Jim Rimene, Rangitane o Wairarapa; Janice Wenn, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. Absent: Kim Smith, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa

 

A significant agreement between Wairarapa District Health Board and local Maori was signed on 14 December 2007. The agreement lays down the ways in which the DHB and Iwi Kainga will work together to improve Maori health.

Bob Francis, Wairarapa DHB Chairman says this relationship agreement is a landmark in the development of the DHB that renews the commitment by Wairarapa iwi and the DHB to work together and it provides a pathway for iwi to effect change for Maori living in the Wairarapa.

Janice Wenn, chairperson of the Iwi Kainga committee says, "We want to become a truly professional body that has input into all Board strategic matters relevant to Maori health. We are breaking new ground, and a continuing relationship where we automatically have input and are consulted is very important to us. This is an important and exciting development."

The first relationship agreement between local Maori and the DHB was signed in 2003. Since then the governing body, previously known as the Mana Whenua caucus, has changed its name to Iwi Kainga. In Te Reo Maori the term Mana Whenua implies a wide focus and is seen to encompass all things of interest and business pertaining to Wairarapa iwi. Yet the primary function of the Mana Whenua Caucus was to provide advice and input into the planning and monitoring of health services for Maori living in the Wairarapa. The group has now changed its frame of reference and their new name is Te Oranga O Te Iwi Kainga—the health and wellbeing of the home people. The new committee, known as Iwi Kainga, is represented by Rangitaane o Wairarapa and Kahungunu ki Wairarapa iwi. The engagement of local iwi leaders on Te Iwi Kainga, the governing caucus, will enable Wairarapa DHB to continue to develop and strengthen health strategies that work for Maori whanau, increase health service responsiveness to Maori and reduce inequalities.