Late last year our Co-Chairs met with the Minister of Health, the Hon Simeon Brown who was interested in hearing more about our findings from the research that explored the link between health and productivity.
We do not have to look too far to see that the health of our working-age whānau has an impact on productivity in the workplace with longer term impacts on the local economy.
We represent 29% of the workforce in our rohe, and with higher than average unmet need in mental health and addiction, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, our fitness for work is critical to our ability to thrive as whānau, and critical to the local economy.
Minister Brown agreed with findings from the report and has asked his Officials to work with us on building solutions.
We had pre-empted that this might happen, so we invited QRS, Tūpore, Tumu/Building Futures, Te Puni Kōkiri, Hineuru Iwi Trust, Tamatea Pōkai Whenua, Te Kupenga Hauora, Kahungunu Executive, Health Hawkes Bay, the Chamber of Commerce, HBREDA, Ministry of Social Development, Te Whatu Ora, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga GM, Delivery Oranga, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga to develop some solutions for consideration.
This group of collaborators exceeded expectations with ideas ranging from a multi-functional outreach service, through to health insurance, activation of campaigns with local influencers, an innovation platform for whānau, tax (fringe benefit) relief on wellbeing initiatives for employers, and improved monitoring of primary care.
Watch this space e te whānau – we will continue to update you as progress occurs.
