About Te Mātāpuna Hauora
Te Mātāpuna Hauora, a collective established by five papatipu rūnanga in Ōtautahi, is dedicated to improving the health outcomes of all, across our takiwā. Our commitment is deeply rooted in the historical significance of Ōnuku, where the Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed on the 30th of May 1840. Situated on Banks Peninsula, Ōnuku holds a key place in history as one of the locations where Ngāi Tahu Rangatira added their signatures to Te Tiriti, a crucial part of the broader effort to gather Māori signatures throughout New Zealand following the initial signing at Waitangi on February 6, 1840. This historical connection underscores the importance of Te Mātāpuna Hauora’s mission to uphold the wellbeing of our people in alignment with the principles of the Treaty.
As we navigate the challenges of the nation’s current fiscal position, we recognise the need for collective effort to achieve the outcomes necessary for our whānau. Our rūnanga, while unwavering in their dedication to the wellbeing of our people, face significant challenges due to being under-resourced and having limited capacity to address the complex health and social needs within our communities. The immense demands placed on our rūnanga, carried out largely by volunteers, are not sustainable and hinder our ability to create lasting, positive change for our whānau. To prevent our iwi and hapū from bearing these burdens alone, it is crucial to develop a sustainable model that provides the necessary resources, funding, and infrastructure to support our efforts.
By establishing this model, we can move beyond mere survival and create an environment where our whānau can truly thrive, accessing the care and services they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives. This approach will align with our rūnanga to focus on strategic leadership and long-term planning, rather than being overwhelmed by the immediate demands of service delivery, enabling us to build a stronger, more resilient future for our people.