Ngāti Kahungunu Launches Independent Māori Health Authority to Address Crisis

The iwi of Ngāti Kahungunu, located on the North Island’s East Coast, has announced the establishment of its own Māori health authority. This initiative, as articulated by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chair Bayden Barber, aims to provide equitable health solutions that resonate with their cultural values and tradition. Barber emphasized that this new entity, named Te Toka Tū Moana o Ngāti Kahungunu, will serve as a foundational element for the community’s health and well-being.

Barber described the authority as a means of reclaiming the iwi’s rights to design and deliver health solutions that align with their tikanga (customs), whakapapa (genealogy), and aspirations for thriving families. He stated, “Te Toka Tū Moana o Ngāti Kahungunu is, as the name says, an anchor stone that will endure.” This initiative is framed within the context of both Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) and the Ngāti Kahungunu Declaration of Rights, which assert the iwi’s right to self-determination in health matters.

The decision to create a standalone health authority follows the disbandment of the short-lived Te Aka Whai Ora Māori health authority, prompting various regions within New Zealand to pursue similar paths. With a population of approximately 97,751, Ngāti Kahungunu recently conducted a two-month outreach initiative, engaging with community members from regional and urban groups. Barber noted, “Our people are concerned about the health and well-being of their whānau.”

Significant health challenges are present within the community. Barber highlighted issues such as social isolation among kaumātua (elders) and mental health struggles among rangatahi (youth). Many whānau find it increasingly difficult to access affordable healthcare when necessary. He articulated a vision for a brighter health future for Ngāti Kahungunu, stating, “We see the establishment of this kaupapa as a key first step.”

According to data from Stats NZ, life expectancy for Māori individuals remains lower than that of other ethnic groups in New Zealand. Barber expressed concern about the current state of the health sector, stating, “We have relied on the mainstream system for decades, yet our Kahungunu statistics in every health category continue to languish behind non-Māori.” The establishment of the new health authority aims to prioritize the health needs of the community, providing hope for improved health outcomes.

Chrissie Hape, chief executive of Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi and former chair of Health Hawke’s Bay, echoed these concerns, stating that many whānau are “suffering in silence.” She pointed out that an estimated 9,000 Māori families in Hawke’s Bay are not enrolled in any general practice, with many GP offices unable to accept new patients. Hape emphasized the urgency of the situation, remarking, “It is unacceptable that whānau are not able to access affordable basic primary care services in 2025.”

The high volume of whānau visiting emergency departments further underscores the pressing need for an accessible healthcare framework. Hape concluded, “We must do better.” The establishment of the Māori health authority signifies a pivotal step towards addressing these systemic health inequities and ensuring that the community can achieve better health outcomes in the future.