Building a Healthy Rohe: Our Political Manifesto
Ahead of our upcoming Political Forum, Tihei Takitimu will publish its inaugural Political Manifesto on 19 August. Distributed to key regional and national stakeholders, the manifesto sets out a focused, practical path toward equitable health outcomes across Te Matau a Māui.
Co-Chairs Kerri Nuku and Lewis Ratapu emphasize that the manifesto is grounded directly in the lived experiences of whānau across our communities.
“This is not a generic ‘shopping list’ of endless demands,” explain Co-Chairs Kerri Nuku and Lewis Ratapu. “We have listened carefully to what whānau are experiencing on the ground and distilled those insights into three meaningful, pragmatic solutions that any commonsense government can implement.”
The Reality Facing Primary Care
The urgent need for systemic reset is illustrated by ongoing pressures across our primary care network. The acute crisis at Hauora Heretaunga – where 3,000 enrolled whānau are in the process of being transitioned away due to persistent GP workforce shortages—underlines how vulnerable local access remains. While immediate emergency measures offered temporary relief, the underlying structural bottlenecks persist.
Beyond urban centres, the human impact of rural health shortages is equally stark. A recent feature on Whakaata Māori’s Te Ao with Moana put a spotlight on Te Wairoa Medical Centre, founded by local Māori doctors Dr Turuki Tahuri and Dr Mania Campbell-Seymour. Returning home to serve their community, their daily work highlights both the profound dedication of rural kaimahi and the overwhelming strain placed on local providers striving to deliver Te Tiriti-centric, whānau-centred care under tight resources.
As Dr Tahuri and Dr Campbell-Seymour demonstrate, sustainable healthcare relies on trusting relationships and local presence—yet without workforce stabilisation, isolated communities are left incredibly vulnerable.
Three Commonsense Priorities
Rather than spreading resources thin, Tihei Takitimu’s Political Manifesto focuses decision-makers on three high-impact priorities:
- Urgent Primary Care Access & Workforce Stabilisation: Deliver immediate operational support to kaupapa Māori GP practices, back Nurse Practitioner-led care models, and fund flexible mobile outreach to reach shift and rural workers.
- Upstream Health Promotion & Preventative Education: Reallocate funding into community-embedded, face-to-face health literacy and local screening units led by kaimahi who reflect the community.
- Whānau-Centric Mental Health & Wellbeing: Establish integrated “No Wrong Door” support hubs, ring-fence funding for youth and maternal mental health, and mandate the elimination of coercive seclusion practices.
By endorsing these practical solutions at the Political Forum, decision-makers can turn whānau voice into action and help guarantee quality, equitable care for every community in Hawke’s Bay.
