Te Tiratū

23/10/2026

Congratulations to Michelle Hippolite on her new appointment, and to Selah Hart for her leadership and ongoing contribution to hauora Māori.

We look forward to the mahi ahead and continuing to strengthen outcomes for whānau.

Hauora Māori Service would like to congratulate Michelle Hippolite (Waikato, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) and welcome her in to the role of Executive National Director Hauora Māori Service, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.

Michelle, who is currently Strategic Lead in Hauora Māori Service, is well-known across the public sector, iwi, Māori and our providers and has extensive strategy, governance and leadership experience across government agencies, commissioning bodies and consulting bodies. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Social Work.

Across her career, she has worked tirelessly to enable whānau to thrive. As the CEO of Te Puni Kōkiri, she provided strategic systems wide advice to meet their objectives and continued that support at Te Whatu Ora for the interim Executive National Director with a focus on hauora Māori strategy and operational projects.

We would also like to recognise Selah Hart (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Whakaue) for the compassion she shows for whānau-centred care, which has supported better outcomes for Māori.

During her time as the interim Executive National Director, Selah has not only filled a key strategic role but has led and developed a strong team focused on delivering outcomes to Māori.

Selah has excelled through commissioning integrated outcome contracts with Hauora Māori Partners, strengthened iwi partnerships and service utilisation by Māori and supported a lift in Tamariki Mâori (at 24 months) immunisation rates. From November, Selah will step into her substantive role as Director Performance and Planning and will also take up a new interim role as Deputy National Director - Hauora Māori Services.

20/10/2026

Kia Tū is about creating opportunities for rangatahi to grow, connect and lead.

Our Tumu Whakarae, Brandi Hudson, shared these reflections at last month’s Kia Tū Rangatahi Leadership Programme hui on why investing in the next generation of Māori leaders matters.

Through this kaupapa, we're backing rangatahi to build confidence, recognise their strengths and have a stronger voice in shaping the future of hauora.

18/10/2026

Introducing Tama Dean Tawhara, Director of Kia Tū, our Rangatahi Leadership Programme.

Tama brings more than 30 years of experience across education, high-performance sport and youth development, with a career focused on helping young people grow their confidence, discipline and leadership.

From Target Education to coaching in high-performance rugby, Tama has spent decades backing rangatahi to recognise what they’re capable of.

We’re fortunate to have Tama leading Kia Tū and we're already seeing the impact of his experience and passion on our next generation of rangatahi leaders.

15/10/2026

For too many whānau, getting healthcare when they need it is still a challenge.

Our recent primary-care survey found that 66.7% of respondents couldn't get an urgent GP appointment when needed, while 51.9% said cost had stopped them from accessing medical care.

These are the realities that the Government's new Māori Health Strategy must address.

Te Tiratū supports its focus on prevention, earlier intervention and local solutions, but we're calling for stronger commitments to funding, Māori decision-making and accountability.

The real measure of a successful strategy is the difference it makes in the lives of whānau.

Read our full response 👉 https://tetiratu.co.nz/2026/10/09/new-maori-health-strategy-must-go-further/

13/10/2026

E mihi ana ki Rangitāmiro Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for hosting Whakarewa 2026 earlier this week. As a shareholder with Ngaa Pou Hauora oo Taamaki Makaurau and National Hauora Coalition (NHC), Te Tiratu is focused on strengthening outcomes for whānau.

We were honoured to attend this kaupapa alongside whānau, government agencies and healthcare providers.

Whānau are the source of their own solutions, and they should have the resources, relationships, and authority to shape their own futures.

Through events and conversations like these, we can challenge existing systems and work towards better outcomes for whānau.

11/10/2026

💚🌸 Belonging matters e te whānau 🌸💚

This Mental Health Awareness Week, the focus is on the everyday connections that help us feel seen, supported and part of something bigger.

Connection and belonging are important protective factors for our mental wellbeing, especially when life gets hard.

This week let's take a moment to reach out, invite someone in and strengthen the connections around you.

A kōrero with a friend, sharing kai with whānau, checking in on your kaumātua and making space for someone to join in.

You can find more resources and ideas at mhaw.nz

📸: taken at one of our kaumātua events, helping grow connection and tautoko.

07/10/2026

🏠 Housing and hauora position statement 🏠

Every whānau deserves a warm, safe and secure kāinga where they can flourish. But for too many Māori whānau, that remains out of reach.

Rising living costs are adding further pressure, leaving some whānau making difficult choices between rent, kai and keeping their homes warm.

There are also significant barriers to creating new housing solutions, particularly on whenua Māori, where the complexities of Te Ture Whenua Māori and high infrastructure and development costs can make it harder for whānau to build on their own whenua.

Hear from our housing policy expert Wayne Knox, who outlines six areas where Te Tiratū believes change is needed, from preventing housing crises and improving existing homes through to creating affordable pathways and enabling Māori-led development.

Addressing these challenges will require coordinated investment, genuine partnership and Māori helping shape the solutions.

Read our full Housing Position Statement here 👉 https://tetiratu.co.nz/2026/09/28/position-statement-housing/

04/10/2026

🏠 Housing and hauora position statement 🏠

Our new Housing and Hauora Position Statement shows the scale of the challenge facing whānau across our rohe. Almost one in four Māori report household crowding, 45% report damp housing, and thousands of Māori in the Waikato Region are experiencing severe housing deprivation or homelessness.

Our position statement sets out six areas for action, including improving the quality of existing kāinga, addressing rural isolation, strengthening affordable housing pathways and supporting Māori-led housing and whenua development.

Read the full Tauāki Tū Position Statement here 👉 https://tetiratu.co.nz/.../09/28/position-statement-housing/

01/10/2026

🚦 New road rules are now in place, e te whānau 🚦

Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the changes.

• Drivers must leave a 1.5 metre gap when passing road users who are not in a motor vehicle.
• Tamariki aged 12 and under can now ride bikes on footpaths, and parents or caregivers can ride with them.
• E-scooters can now be ridden in cycle lanes.
• Road users must give way to buses leaving bus stops.

A little extra care can make a real difference in keeping our whānau safe.

Source: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

01/10/2026

🙌🏽 By rangatahi, for rangatahi, with rangatahi 🙌🏽

From a viral moment to Te Karere, it’s been awesome to see the energy around our Rangatahi Māori Hauora Leadership Programme continue to grow.

This new kaupapa is about growing the next generation of leaders who will help shape the future of our hauora services.

Ka rawe o koutou mahi Tama, Arielle and Brandi! Karawhiua!