Our vision of ‘enhanced health and wellbeing for all’ includes a focus on Maori health equity. Our organisational strategy, Manaaki Ora, identifies equity for Maori as one of our five strategic aims. Also, our ‘Aka’ Maori health strategy emphasizes ‘mana motuhake’ (self-determination) as the guiding principle for all relationships with Maori.
This flows into the tikanga (protocol) of Manaaki Mamao, to ensure we provide a service that best meets the needs of our Maori and Pasifika whaiora. We have started with hypertension given its relationship with stroke and cardiovascular disease and are looking to extend to other health conditions. Proactively monitoring people in these situations means we may avoid sending a real ambulance to them later when things could be far more serious. We can prevent harm from occurring by addressing and managing the condition early.
Our role in delivering Manaaki Mamao is that of kaiwhatu (weaver). We work together with local hauora Maori providers to deliver health services to Maori and ensure whaiora have a more proactive, frequent and richer experience when managing their medical conditions.