Maori community action

Māori are a priority population group within the HEHA Strategy based on health need.  The health disparities between Māori and Pakeha populations within Aotearoa are well documented. The National Māori Health Strategy - He Korowai Oranga 2001 states that Māori have the poorest health of any ethnic group in the country. Māori have poorer health outcomes across a wide range of health indicators, but despite this have lower rates of access to health services.

Maori HEHA Work Plan 2008Criteria and application form for fundingCriteria and application form for funding

It is recognised by Waikato DHB that Iwi/Māori must participate in the governance and the establishment of the strategic direction of the HEHA initiative. In alignment with this the Chairman of Iwi Māori Council is a signatory to the final Ministry Approved Plan (MAP), submitted from the Waikato DHB to the Ministry of Health.

Maori are represented on the Waikato HEHA Steering Group and other associated committees.

Food safety in Maori cooking

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has launched a new food safety guide for Marae cooks.

Te Kai Manawa includes food safety tips for some traditional Maori food practices, and how to buy, store, cook and serve food safely.

The guide was developed by a team from NZFSA, public health units and Maori health providers  developed the guide in response to requests for more information from whanau, hapu and iwi following the release in 2004 of NZFSA's Hangi Guide.

The guide can be downloaded from the website at: www.nzfsa.govt.nz/consumers/maori-pacific-other-cultures/, or Marae representatives can get a hard copy from NZFSA by calling 0800 693 721.

Funding available for Maori health projects

Details regarding funding rounds in the 2009/10 year will be announced shortly.

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