Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

A conservation leader is calling for urgent action to protect the critically threatened Māui dolphin, warning that destructive fishing practices continue to put one of Aotearoa’s rarest marine mammals at risk.

Natalie Jessup, General Manager of Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, says the fight to save the Māui dolphin must include stronger protections for the coastal habitats the species relies on for survival.

Māui dolphins are found only in Aotearoa and remain under serious threat from human activity, including fishing-related risks, pollution, disease, habitat degradation and the wider impacts of climate change.

Bottom trawling is a major concern for conservation advocates because it disturbs the seafloor, damages marine ecosystems and can affect the food chains and habitats that vulnerable species depend on. While set nets are widely recognised as the biggest fishing-related threat to Māui and Hector’s dolphins, trawl nets have also caught dolphins and remain part of wider calls for stronger marine protection.

Tāngaro Tuia te Ora has been advocating for an end to bottom trawling in sensitive marine areas, including habitats used by Māui and Hector’s dolphins. The organisation says protecting these areas is essential if Aotearoa is serious about preventing extinction.

Policy changes being called for include stronger no-trawl zones, greater protection across critical dolphin habitats, tighter regulation of fishing methods, better monitoring and enforcement, and long-term marine planning that places biodiversity and kaitiakitanga at the centre.

Jessup’s work also focuses on building community support for conservation. Tāngaro Tuia te Ora has been working with communities, iwi, environmental partners and advocates to raise awareness, support habitat protection and encourage collective action for endangered species.

For many Māori communities, the protection of Māui dolphins is connected to kaitiakitanga and the responsibility to care for te taiao for future generations. Conservation leaders say saving the species will require both strong policy and active community leadership.

Everyday New Zealanders are also being encouraged to play a role. People can support petitions calling for stronger marine protections, back organisations working to protect endangered species, choose seafood carefully, reduce pollution entering waterways and vote for policies that prioritise ocean health.

Advocates say the survival of the Māui dolphin is not just an environmental issue. It is a test of whether Aotearoa is prepared to act before a taonga species disappears.

With numbers critically low, conservation groups say the window for action is narrowing. The message from Tāngaro Tuia te Ora is clear: protecting the Māui dolphin means protecting its home.

The post #tangaroa: Māui Dolphin Fight Puts Bottom Trawling in the Spotlight appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

As Aotearoa prepares to celebrate Matariki, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is once again inviting people from all walks of life to come together and embrace the values, traditions and meaning of the Māori New Year.

Through Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone, the iwi is leading one of the country’s largest Matariki programmes, creating opportunities for communities across Tāmaki Makaurau to connect with te ao Māori and celebrate a uniquely Aotearoa occasion.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei spokesperson Melz Huata-Lucas says the event reflects the spirit of bringing people together, honouring both the cultural significance of Matariki and the diversity of the communities that now call Auckland home.

The name Herenga Waka refers to a place where many waka are tied together, symbolising unity, connection and collective purpose. Organisers say the programme is designed to create a welcoming environment where everyone can participate, learn and reflect, regardless of their background.

Making Matariki accessible to all remains a key priority. Since becoming a public holiday, Matariki has grown into a national celebration, but Māori leaders say it is important that people understand the deeper meanings behind the occasion rather than viewing it simply as another day off.

At its heart, Matariki is a time to remember those who have passed, celebrate the present and plan for the future. It is a period of reflection, gratitude and renewal that has been observed by Māori for generations.

One of the most significant events within the programme is Hautapu ā Motu, a traditional ceremony that acknowledges the Matariki stars through karakia, remembrance and the offering of food. The ceremony provides an opportunity for communities to reconnect with ancient knowledge and understand the relationship between people, the environment and the celestial world.

For many participants, Hautapu serves as a powerful reminder of the values that underpin Matariki, including whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.

This year’s celebrations will feature a range of cultural experiences, performances, educational activities and community events designed to encourage participation and deepen understanding of Māori traditions.

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei hopes those attending will leave with a stronger appreciation of the significance of Matariki and a greater sense of connection to one another.

Organisers say the celebration is ultimately about bringing people together, strengthening community bonds and creating space for reflection at a time of year that holds special meaning for Māori.

As the stars of Matariki rise once again, Tāmaki Makaurau is preparing to embrace a celebration that honours the past, celebrates the present and looks forward to the future.

The post #matariki: Herenga Waka Brings Tāmaki Together to Celebrate Māori New Year appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

A leading Māori health researcher says diabetes continues to have a devastating impact on Māori men and their whānau, warning that without urgent action the health inequities driving the disease will continue to worsen.

Dr Rawiri Keenan, a GP and Associate Professor of Primary Care at the University of Waikato, has spent years examining the disproportionate burden diabetes places on Māori communities and advocating for solutions grounded in equity and kaupapa Māori approaches.

Diabetes remains one of the most significant health challenges facing Māori, contributing to higher rates of heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, amputations and premature death. Māori are diagnosed more frequently and often at younger ages than non-Māori, creating long-term impacts for individuals, whānau and communities.

Dr Keenan says effective solutions already exist, but they must be delivered in ways that reflect Māori realities and aspirations.

Kaupapa Māori health services, whānau-centred models of care, marae-based programmes and community-led initiatives are increasingly recognised as some of the most successful approaches to preventing and managing diabetes. These programmes often combine clinical care with cultural support, strengthening connections to whānau, identity, language and community.

Health advocates say culturally grounded services are more likely to engage Māori men, build trust and support long-term behaviour change than traditional healthcare models alone.

Early intervention is also viewed as critical. Identifying risk factors before diabetes develops can significantly reduce the likelihood of serious complications later in life.

Regular health checks, earlier screening, healthy nutrition programmes, physical activity initiatives and better access to primary healthcare can help identify issues before they become life-threatening. For many Māori communities, however, barriers such as cost, transport, workforce shortages and limited service availability continue to prevent early engagement with healthcare.

Despite the scale of the problem, concerns remain about the level of political attention diabetes receives compared with other major health issues.

Many Māori health leaders argue that diabetes should be treated as a national priority, given its widespread impact and the substantial costs it places on families, communities and the health system.

They point to persistent inequities in funding, access and outcomes as evidence that stronger leadership and long-term investment are needed.

Dr Keenan says addressing diabetes requires more than encouraging individuals to make healthier choices. The disease is closely linked to broader social and economic factors including poverty, housing, food security, education and access to healthcare.

Health experts say meaningful change will require systemic reforms that place equity at the centre of decision-making. These include greater investment in Māori health providers, expanding the Māori health workforce, improving access to preventative care, strengthening primary healthcare services and ensuring Māori communities have a stronger voice in health planning and delivery.

For Māori men, diabetes is not simply a personal health challenge. It is a reflection of wider inequities that continue to shape health outcomes across generations.

As rates of diabetes remain stubbornly high, Māori health leaders are calling for a coordinated national response that combines prevention, early intervention and culturally grounded care to help turn the tide on what many describe as an ongoing pandemic.

The post #hauora: Diabetes Pandemic Demands Action for Māori Men, Says Health Expert appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

Type 2 diabetes and the appalling suicide rates among Māori men are putting renewed pressure on the health system, with questions being asked about whether the resources are there to meet the scale of the need.

Dale speaks with senior Māori health leader John Whaanga about two of the most serious health challenges facing whānau across Aotearoa today.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing long-term conditions in the country, with Māori disproportionately affected and often diagnosed earlier than non-Māori. The disease can lead to serious complications including heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputations.

At the same time, suicide rates among men remain deeply concerning, particularly for Māori communities where grief and trauma continue to affect whānau across generations.

Health advocates say the issues are well known. The causes are also well understood, including poverty, housing stress, poor access to primary care, food insecurity, disconnection, trauma, and a health system that has not always served Māori well.

The bigger question is whether government agencies and health providers have the funding, workforce and community support needed to respond properly.

For Māori men, barriers to getting help can include cost, shame, mistrust of services, long waiting times, and a lack of culturally safe care. Many do not seek support until a health issue has become urgent.

Whaanga says the response must be stronger, earlier and closer to whānau. That means investing in kaupapa Māori services, prevention, mental health support, diabetes education, and community-led models that meet people where they are.

Whānau support is also critical. Health leaders say Māori men are more likely to engage when services include their whānau, respect tikanga and focus on wellbeing rather than blame.

The message is clear: Aotearoa cannot keep naming the problems without resourcing the solutions.

If the country is serious about reducing diabetes, suicide and preventable deaths among Māori men, then investment must reach the frontline, support Māori providers and give whānau the tools to act early.

The post #menshealthweek: Diabetes and Suicide Crisis: Are Māori Men Getting the Support They Need? appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

Former Dead Flowers guitarist and award-nominated Māori artist Riqi Harawira is forging a new musical journey that places te reo Māori, whakapapa and cultural revitalisation at the heart of his work.

Known to many through his years in the acclaimed rock band Dead Flowers, Harawira has increasingly turned his focus towards creating music that reconnects listeners with language, identity and traditional Māori knowledge.

The Ngāpuhi and Te Aupōuri musician says the transition represents more than a change in musical direction. It reflects a deeper journey of cultural reconnection and a desire to contribute to the revitalisation of te reo Māori through contemporary music.

Central to that journey has been his work with Te Kete Puoro, an initiative that uses music as a vehicle for language learning, cultural engagement and community connection. By combining traditional and contemporary sounds, Te Kete Puoro creates opportunities for learners to engage with te reo Māori in an accessible and meaningful way.

Music has long been recognised as a powerful educational tool, helping people absorb language through repetition, rhythm and emotion. For many learners, waiata provides an entry point into te reo Māori while strengthening understanding of tikanga, whakapapa and cultural narratives.

One of Harawira’s recent projects has involved reinterpreting the treasured waiata Ka Pīoioi. The song holds a special place in Māori musical heritage, and reimagining it for contemporary audiences carries both creative opportunity and cultural responsibility.

Rather than simply reproducing a well-known composition, Harawira’s approach seeks to honour the original while creating space for new generations to engage with the waiata. The work reflects a broader movement among Māori artists who are breathing new life into traditional compositions while preserving their cultural significance.

For Harawira, reconnecting with culture and language has been both a personal and artistic transformation. The process has deepened his understanding of identity and strengthened connections to whānau, ancestors and the communities that continue to nurture te reo Māori.

Across Aotearoa, a growing number of musicians are using their platforms to support language revitalisation efforts. Māori-language music is experiencing unprecedented growth, reaching audiences both nationally and internationally while helping normalise the use of te reo Māori in everyday life.

Harawira’s contribution reflects the important role artists can play in strengthening cultural confidence and inspiring others to begin their own journeys of reconnection.

As te reo Māori continues to flourish across the arts, education and public life, musicians such as Riqi Harawira are demonstrating how creativity can become a powerful force for cultural renewal, ensuring treasured waiata and ancestral knowledge continue to resonate with future generations.

The post #culture: Riqi Harawira Finds His Voice Through Te Reo, Whakapapa and Waiata appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

For decades, Tame Iti has been recognised as one of Aotearoa’s most prominent Māori activists and cultural leaders. But alongside his advocacy for tino rangatiratanga and Māori rights, he has also maintained a strong commitment to the health and wellbeing of whānau.

The Ngāi Tūhoe leader has long supported community-based approaches to wellbeing, believing that health extends far beyond hospitals and clinics. For Iti, health is closely connected to identity, culture, whānau and the relationship Māori have with their whenua.

In recent years, Iti has spoken openly about his own experience living with diabetes, a condition that continues to disproportionately affect Māori communities. His personal journey has highlighted the daily realities of managing a chronic illness while also drawing attention to the broader health challenges facing Māori men.

Diabetes remains one of the most significant health issues impacting Māori, contributing to higher rates of heart disease, kidney disease, amputations and other serious complications. Māori are diagnosed at younger ages and experience poorer outcomes than many other population groups.

Iti’s experiences have reinforced the importance of prevention, self-care and taking ownership of personal health. At the same time, he recognises that individual responsibility alone cannot solve a problem deeply connected to social and economic conditions.

Many Māori men continue to face barriers when accessing healthcare. Cost, transport difficulties, long waiting times, work commitments and a lack of culturally safe services can discourage people from seeking help early. These challenges are often amplified in rural communities where healthcare options are more limited.

For Iti, culture and identity remain central to good health. Connection to whenua, language, whakapapa and community can provide a strong foundation for physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Māori health models have long recognised that wellbeing is holistic and shaped by much more than medical treatment alone.

Health advocates say Māori men often delay seeking healthcare until problems become serious, making early intervention more difficult. Encouraging regular check-ups, healthy eating, physical activity and stronger engagement with health services can play an important role in preventing conditions such as diabetes from progressing.

There is also growing recognition that solutions must be grounded in kaupapa Māori approaches. Programmes that involve whānau, marae and community leadership are increasingly proving effective in supporting positive lifestyle changes and long-term health improvements.

For younger Māori men, the message is clear. Looking after health is not simply about avoiding illness. It is about protecting the ability to care for whānau, contribute to community and maintain strong connections to culture and identity.

As diabetes continues to affect Māori communities at disproportionate rates, leaders such as Tame Iti are helping to highlight the importance of prevention, cultural strength and collective responsibility in building healthier futures for coming generations.

The post #hauora: Tame Iti: Health, Identity and the Fight Against Diabetes appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

The New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association says the Health Minister’s move to remove Medical Council leadership is a worrying sign of political interference in an independent health regulator.

NZRDA President Dr Rosa Tobin Stickings says the Medical Council plays a critical role in protecting patients by setting professional standards for doctors and ensuring the public can trust medical regulation is independent of political pressure.

The association is concerned that ministerial intervention risks undermining confidence in the regulator, particularly if decisions appear to be driven by political disagreement over issues such as cultural safety.

Health Minister Simeon Brown has raised concerns about what he describes as an ideological agenda in medical regulation. But doctors’ groups say cultural safety is not political ideology. They argue it is part of safe, effective care, especially in a health system where Māori, Pacific peoples and other communities continue to experience poorer outcomes.

For resident doctors, the concern is broader than governance. They say the health system is already under strain from workforce shortages, long waits, pressure on hospitals and growing patient need. Any move that weakens trust in independent regulation could add further uncertainty for both doctors and patients.

The NZRDA says patient safety depends on strong, independent institutions, clear professional standards and a workforce that feels supported rather than politicised.

It says the Government should instead be focused on fixing frontline pressures, including staffing shortages, unsafe workloads, delayed care, and access barriers that continue to affect patients across Aotearoa.

Doctors are also calling for greater investment in training, retention, mental health support for the workforce, and health services that are culturally safe and clinically effective.

The association says protecting patients means protecting the independence of those responsible for medical standards.

As pressure grows across the health sector, the NZRDA says the Government must prioritise trust, safety and workforce stability over political battles about the role of health regulators.

The post #kawanatanga: Doctors Warn Medical Council Shake-Up Puts Patient Trust at Risk appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

A leading cancer specialist says lowering the age for free bowel cancer screening will save lives, but warns the Government’s decision not to introduce earlier screening for Māori and Pacific peoples risks deepening health inequities.

Associate Professor George Laking, from the University of Auckland’s Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku, Centre for Cancer Research, says moving the national eligibility age from 58 to 56 is a positive step, but it does not go far enough for communities already carrying the heaviest cancer burden.

Bowel cancer remains a major contributor to the seven-year life expectancy gap between Māori and non-Māori. Māori are more likely to be diagnosed later, more likely to face barriers to timely treatment, and more likely to experience poorer outcomes after diagnosis.

Health experts say the inequity does not end once cancer is found. Māori patients can face delays in referral, diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy and follow-up care. Access to specialists, transport, cost, distance from services, and culturally unsafe healthcare environments can all affect survival.

Associate Professor Laking’s concerns centre on equity. Earlier screening from age 50 had been proposed for Māori and Pacific peoples because bowel cancer can appear earlier in these communities. Removing that approach means some people at higher risk may not be reached until their cancer is more advanced.

The issue is not only individual behaviour, but the way the health system is designed. Māori health advocates have long pointed to institutional bias, under-resourced services, poorer access to primary care, and a lack of Māori-led cancer pathways as key drivers of unequal outcomes.

Lowering the age to 56 may help some people get screened earlier, but experts say a universal age setting can still miss those who need targeted support most. For Māori and Pacific peoples, the difference between screening at 50 and screening years later could be the difference between early treatment and a life-threatening diagnosis.

Policy changes being called for include restoring bowel screening from age 50 for Māori and Pacific peoples, stronger investment in Māori and Pacific health providers, better follow-up after positive tests, faster access to colonoscopy, and cancer services that are culturally safe from screening through to treatment and survivorship.

Health leaders say improving survival rates will require more than expanding eligibility. It will require a system that actively removes barriers, prioritises those with the greatest need, and measures success by whether inequities are closing.

For Māori whānau, bowel cancer is not just a medical issue. It is a question of fairness, access and the right to live longer, healthier lives.

The post #hauora: Bowel Screening Shift Could Save Lives But Leave Māori Behind appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

A Waikato Māori health leader says ensuring equitable healthcare for whānau in rural communities requires funding to reach the frontline, a stronger workforce, and service models designed around the realities of rural life.

Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board (IMPB), the mandated organisation representing more than 121,300 Māori across the Waikato region, continues to advocate for investment that directly supports kaupapa Māori providers and community-based services.

Tumu Whakarae Brandi Hudson says rural communities such as Taumarunui, Kāwhia and Ōtorohanga face unique challenges that require targeted solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

Ensuring new health funding reaches those communities remains a key priority. Māori health advocates have consistently argued that kaupapa Māori providers are often best placed to deliver culturally grounded care, build trust with whānau and respond quickly to local needs. Direct investment into these providers is seen as critical to improving health outcomes and reducing long-standing inequities.

Workforce shortages remain one of the biggest challenges facing rural Māori health services. The shortage is particularly acute in mental health, addiction support and primary care, where recruitment and retention of skilled professionals can be difficult outside major urban centres.

Addressing those shortages requires long-term planning, including growing the Māori health workforce, supporting local training pathways, investing in rural placements and creating career opportunities that encourage practitioners to remain in their communities. Strengthening partnerships between providers, iwi and educational institutions is also viewed as a key part of the solution.

Access barriers continue to prevent many whānau from receiving timely healthcare. Transport difficulties, the cost of appointments, long travel distances and limited service availability often result in people delaying treatment until conditions become more serious.

Health leaders say service delivery models must place greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention. Mobile clinics, outreach services, telehealth options, marae-based healthcare and whānau-centred approaches are increasingly recognised as effective ways to bring services closer to the people who need them most.

The ongoing pressure on the health system has intensified concerns about maintaining visibility for Māori health priorities following the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora. Māori leaders continue to stress the importance of ensuring Māori voices remain central to health planning, funding decisions and service design.

For organisations such as Te Tiratū IMPB, advocacy remains a critical role. Ensuring Māori health needs are recognised within mainstream funding frameworks and that resources are directed towards areas of greatest need is seen as essential to achieving equitable outcomes.

The challenge facing the sector is not simply delivering more services but delivering the right services in the right places. For rural Māori communities, success will depend on sustained investment, stronger local workforces and healthcare models that place whānau at the centre of decision-making.

As health inequities continue to affect Māori communities across the Waikato region, leaders say empowering kaupapa Māori providers and supporting locally led solutions will be critical to improving outcomes for future generations.

The post #hauora: Rural Māori Health Must Not Be Left Behind appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

Growing concerns over cancer rates among Māori men are placing health equity firmly back in the political spotlight as parties begin outlining their priorities ahead of the next election.

New research and expert commentary have highlighted a troubling trend: Māori men are developing bowel and stomach cancers at younger ages and are often being diagnosed later, reducing their chances of successful treatment and long-term survival.

The issue has reignited debate about whether the health system is doing enough to address long-standing inequities faced by Māori communities.

Health data continues to show Māori experience poorer outcomes across a range of cancers, including bowel and prostate cancer. Experts say the problem extends beyond diagnosis, with inequities often continuing throughout treatment and recovery.

Barriers such as delayed access to primary healthcare, workforce shortages, cost pressures, geographic isolation, and systemic inequities within the health system all contribute to poorer outcomes for Māori patients.

One of the most contentious issues remains bowel cancer screening. Māori health advocates and cancer specialists have repeatedly argued that Māori should have access to screening at an earlier age because bowel cancer often develops sooner than it does in non-Māori populations.

The decision to move away from earlier eligibility for Māori and Pacific peoples has attracted criticism from health leaders, who warn it risks widening existing disparities and missing opportunities for earlier diagnosis.

The debate comes as Labour and other political parties begin shaping their election campaigns, with Māori health expected to be a key area of focus.

Questions are being raised about what commitments parties are prepared to make to address persistent inequities in cancer outcomes, workforce shortages, access to healthcare and preventative services.

Advocates say meaningful change will require more than short-term funding announcements. They argue improvements will depend on sustained investment in kaupapa Māori health services, earlier intervention programmes, stronger primary healthcare systems and culturally responsive care pathways.

There are also calls for greater support for Māori-led health initiatives and targeted programmes that recognise the unique challenges faced by Māori communities, particularly in rural and high-needs areas.

Health experts say reducing cancer inequities will require action across the entire healthcare journey — from prevention and screening through to diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.

As the election campaign gathers momentum, Māori voters will be watching closely to see which parties are prepared to deliver concrete policies aimed at closing the cancer gap and improving life expectancy.

For many whānau, the issue is about more than healthcare. It is about ensuring Māori have the same opportunity to live healthy lives and receive timely, effective care regardless of where they live or who they are.

With cancer continuing to be a major contributor to health inequities in Aotearoa, pressure is mounting on political leaders to provide clear answers on how they plan to achieve equitable outcomes for Māori.

The post #CANCER: Cancer Crisis Puts Māori Health Back on the Election Agenda appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.