Improving the health of Maori

Wairarapa DHB is committed to improving the health of Maori, with a broad range of initiatives and strategies that have their roots firmly in the community they serve.

Policies, strategies and initiatives must be based on recognised needs, and these are identified in the Health Needs Assessment, which is carried out in the Wairarapa every 5 years, last completed in 2008. Collating a summary of data specific to Maori has enabled planners and community groups to take action directly linked to identified need.

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The Health Needs Assessment, coupled with the Maori Health Action Plan, provide the guidelines for the Maori Health section of the District Annual plan, which describes what the DHB will do each year towards the improvement goals that have been set.

It's recognised that making health services more accessible to Maori is an important goal. Wairarapa DHB continues to provide Treaty of Waitangi workshops for staff, both NZ born and from world-wide locations, to foster not just a wider knowledge of our obligations and responsibilities, but also  a wider understanding of living and working in our bicultural country.

Other work with DHB staff includes the implementation of the Cultural Competency framework (to be posted on this site soon).