Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

ACT Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour is facing mounting scrutiny over education and health decisions critics say are placing extra pressure on whānau already caring for high-needs tamariki.

Parents, educators and health advocates have raised concerns over attendance rules that could see families fined up to $30 a day, saying the policy risks unfairly targeting households with children who are unwell, disabled, or receiving end-of-life care.

Critics say the rules may also increase pressure on general practitioners, with some whānau expected to repeatedly provide medical certificates to justify absences.

School leaders have also pushed back, with principals and teachers saying they are being placed in the difficult position of protecting their communities from what they describe as an overly punitive approach to attendance.

Seymour is also being challenged over health decisions made in his role as Associate Minister of Health, including the removal of Māori and Pacific priority access to some Type 2 diabetes medicines.

Health equity advocates say the change was made without a clear equity analysis or detailed modelling of who would be affected, raising concerns it could worsen existing disparities for Māori and Pacific communities.

The controversy comes as whānau continue to navigate pressures across education, health and household costs, with advocates calling for policy settings that recognise complex family circumstances rather than penalise them.

Seymour is expected to face questions on whether the Government has properly assessed the impact of these decisions on vulnerable tamariki, Māori health outcomes and communities already carrying the greatest burden.

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A Māori health leader is warning Pharmac that removing ethnicity-based access to key diabetes medicines will deepen health inequities and put whānau lives at risk.

Dr Maira Patu, Te Tauraki Board Director, says the Māori and Pacific pathway must be retained for diabetes treatments that help reduce the risk of serious complications, including heart disease and kidney disease.

Te Tauraki says the proposed change would make it harder for Māori and Pasifika patients to access medicines that have been shown to deliver better outcomes for communities already carrying a disproportionate burden of diabetes.

The concern is that patients could be pushed back towards standard treatments such as metformin alone, even when newer medicines may provide greater protection against long-term complications.

Māori and Pacific communities experience higher rates of diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and premature death. Health advocates say targeted access pathways exist because equal treatment in an unequal system does not produce equitable outcomes.

Dr Patu says removing the ethnicity pathway reflects a wider pattern of policy decisions that weaken Māori health equity under the language of neutrality.

She says the move risks ignoring the lived reality of whānau who face barriers to timely diagnosis, specialist care, medicines access and ongoing diabetes management.

The debate also raises broader questions about Te Tiriti obligations in the health system. Māori health leaders argue agencies such as Pharmac must actively uphold equity, not retreat from targeted measures designed to address known disparities.

Te Tauraki is calling on Pharmac to retain and strengthen access pathways for Māori and Pasifika patients, rather than removing tools that help clinicians respond to risk earlier.

For whānau living with diabetes, the issue is not simply about medicine funding. It is about whether the health system is prepared to confront inequity directly, or whether Māori and Pasifika communities will once again be asked to carry the cost.

#Pharmac #Diabetes #MāoriHealth #PasifikaHealth #TeTauraki #HealthEquity #TeTiriti #WhānauOra #RadioWaatea

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A new report from Aroturuki Tamariki has reignited debate about the effectiveness of New Zealand’s child protection system, with findings suggesting too many Māori children are reaching crisis point despite repeated warnings that support is needed.

The report, Outcomes for Tamariki and Rangatahi Māori and Their Whānau 2024/25, paints a troubling picture of persistent inequities across the care and protection system and raises serious questions about whether opportunities for early intervention are being missed.

At the centre of the findings is a stark statistic: many Māori children who entered the attention of Oranga Tamariki had already been the subject of multiple reports of concern, with one in four receiving ten or more notifications before meaningful intervention occurred.

For Aroturuki Tamariki Chief Executive Arran Jones, the figures point to a system that is too often responding to harm after it has escalated, rather than preventing it from occurring in the first place.

Reports of concern are intended to act as an early warning mechanism when questions arise about a child’s safety, wellbeing or development.

However, the monitor’s findings suggest repeated notifications are not always leading to timely or effective responses.

The report argues that if the “front door” of the child protection system was functioning as intended, children and whānau would receive the support they need at the earliest opportunity, reducing the likelihood of repeated notifications and deeper involvement with state agencies.

Instead, many Māori children continue to cycle through multiple reports before substantial interventions are put in place.

For child welfare advocates, this raises concerns about whether frontline services have the resources, coordination and flexibility needed to respond before situations deteriorate.

The report also found that critical and very urgent reports involving Māori children receive less timely responses than similar cases involving non-Māori.

That finding has intensified concerns about equity within the child protection system.

Advocates argue that when reports involve immediate risks to children’s safety and wellbeing, every delay can have serious consequences.

The report suggests improvements are needed not only in response times but also in how agencies identify, assess and prioritise risk.

For many Māori leaders, the findings reinforce longstanding concerns that systemic inequities continue to affect how services are delivered to Māori whānau.

Perhaps one of the most significant findings in the report relates to youth offending.

Aroturuki Tamariki found that 95 percent of rangatahi Māori involved in the youth justice system had previously been the subject of reports of concern about their safety or wellbeing.

Half had experienced more than ten reports of concern during childhood.

The data reveals a clear connection between unresolved childhood harm and later involvement in the justice system.

The report argues that greater attention needs to be placed on addressing care and protection concerns earlier rather than focusing resources primarily on offending behaviour after it occurs.

For the monitor, prevention must become a central priority if New Zealand hopes to reduce Māori overrepresentation in youth justice.

While the majority of Māori children are never involved with Oranga Tamariki, those who are continue to experience significantly poorer outcomes than both non-Māori and Māori children who have never entered the system.

The report found disparities across a range of indicators, including education, health, employment, driver licensing and housing.

Māori children in care are more likely to remain in care longer and less likely to receive regular visits from social workers.

The findings reinforce concerns that the system is not adequately meeting the needs of Māori children and whānau despite repeated commitments to improving outcomes.

Despite the challenges identified, the report also highlights examples of successful iwi and community-led initiatives that are delivering positive results.

These programmes often focus on whānau-centred approaches, early intervention and culturally grounded support, helping families address challenges before they escalate into crises.

Aroturuki Tamariki argues that these models demonstrate the value of empowering iwi, hapū and Māori organisations to lead solutions for their own communities.

The report points to stronger partnerships, flexible commissioning models and increased local decision-making as key ingredients for future success.

The report arrives amid growing scrutiny of Oranga Tamariki and wider debates about the future of child welfare policy in Aotearoa.

For Arran Jones, the evidence suggests the country already knows many of the solutions required.

What remains uncertain is whether the pace of change will be sufficient to address entrenched disparities and prevent another generation of Māori children becoming overrepresented in care and youth justice systems.

The report concludes that earlier intervention, stronger whānau support and greater investment in Māori-led solutions will be critical if outcomes are to improve.

For many observers, the message is simple: the warning signs are already there.

The challenge now is whether the system acts on them before more tamariki and rangatahi Māori fall through the cracks.

#AroturukiTamariki #ArranJones #OrangaTamariki #MāoriTamariki #WhānauOra #YouthJustice #ChildProtection #MāoriWellbeing #TinoRangatiratanga #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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The Government’s Budget 2026 is facing mounting criticism from health sector leaders, with New Zealand Nurses Organisation Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku warning the package fails to address critical workforce shortages, deepening inequities and growing pressure across the health system.

Representing the country’s largest nursing union and professional body, Nuku has described the Budget as little more than a “money go-round,” arguing that while funding has been redistributed, it does not provide the significant new investment required to meet rising demand for healthcare services.

Her concerns come at a time when hospitals, primary care providers and community health services continue to face workforce shortages, increasing patient demand and widening health disparities.

For nurses working on the frontline, Budget 2026 has done little to ease concerns about workload pressures and staffing shortages.

Across the country, health workers continue to report increasing patient numbers, longer waiting times and difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified staff.

Nuku says the Budget misses an opportunity to invest meaningfully in the workforce responsible for delivering healthcare every day.

Without significant workforce expansion, she argues, existing staff will continue to face unsustainable pressure, increasing the risk of burnout and placing further strain on patient care.

The nursing workforce has long been regarded as the backbone of New Zealand’s health system, with nurses delivering services across hospitals, general practice clinics, aged care facilities, mental health services and community health programmes.

Yet many providers continue to report vacancies and recruitment challenges despite ongoing demand for healthcare professionals.

One of the strongest criticisms from NZNO relates to Māori health funding.

Nuku argues that Māori communities already experience poorer health outcomes across a range of indicators, including life expectancy, chronic disease, access to healthcare and preventable hospital admissions.

She says the Budget fails to adequately address those inequities and risks further widening existing gaps.

Health advocates have repeatedly highlighted the importance of targeted investment in Māori health services, kaupapa Māori providers and initiatives designed to improve access and outcomes for whānau.

The concern is that without sustained and dedicated funding, Māori communities will continue to experience disproportionate rates of illness and barriers to care.

The debate comes amid wider discussions about the future of health equity programmes and the role of targeted approaches within the public health system.

Nursing workforce growth has become a major issue across the sector.

While training numbers have increased in recent years, workforce leaders say recruitment alone is not enough if retention challenges remain unresolved.

Many nurses continue to leave the profession due to workload pressures, pay concerns and workplace stress.

Others are choosing to work overseas where salaries and conditions may be more attractive.

Nuku says urgent action is needed to grow the workforce, including increased investment in nursing education, graduate placements, workforce planning and retention strategies.

Without a coordinated response, shortages are expected to worsen as New Zealand’s population grows and ages.

The challenge is particularly acute in rural communities, Māori health services and primary care settings where workforce shortages can have significant impacts on access to care.

NZNO has also raised concerns about the use of cost pressure funding within the health sector.

Nuku argues that when funding intended to meet inflationary and operational cost increases is not ringfenced, there is a risk it may be redirected to cover other budget pressures rather than supporting frontline services.

Health organisations say rising costs continue to affect everything from staffing and equipment to medicines and service delivery.

If funding is diverted elsewhere, providers may struggle to maintain service levels, invest in workforce development or respond effectively to growing demand.

The concern is that short-term financial management decisions could create longer-term challenges for system stability and service quality.

The criticism from NZNO reflects broader concerns emerging across the health sector following Budget 2026.

Many health leaders have welcomed some targeted investments but argue they fall short of addressing the scale of challenges facing the system.

An ageing population, rising rates of chronic disease, growing mental health needs and workforce shortages continue to place significant pressure on healthcare services nationwide.

For Māori communities, the debate also intersects with ongoing discussions about equity, Te Tiriti obligations and the need for health policies that actively reduce disparities rather than simply maintain the status quo.

As the Government defends its Budget priorities, health organisations are expected to continue advocating for greater investment in workforce development, Māori health services and frontline care.

For Kerri Nuku and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, the message is that healthcare cannot be sustained through redistribution alone.

They argue meaningful improvements will require long-term investment, stronger workforce planning and a commitment to addressing inequities that continue to affect Māori and other underserved communities.

With hospitals, clinics and community providers already under pressure, the debate over Budget 2026 is likely to remain a central issue for the health sector in the months ahead.

#Budget2026 #NZNO #KerriNuku #MāoriHealth #NursingCrisis #HealthFunding #Hauora #WhānauOra #HealthWorkforce #AotearoaPolitics #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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A remarkable Māori-led documentary exploring the hidden connections between whales, kiore, kauri and people is set to open the 2026 Doc Edge Festival, bringing a uniquely Aotearoa story of whakapapa, science and environmental stewardship to national and international audiences.

Unlikely Kin (Whales, Rats & Kauri), directed by filmmaker Mike Jonathan and produced by Tohorā Films, follows respected environmental advocate Hori Parata and his whānau on a journey that challenges conventional understandings of nature, identity and interconnectedness.

What begins as an exploration of seemingly unrelated species evolves into a profound examination of whakapapa, revealing how Indigenous knowledge, environmental science and lived experience intersect in unexpected and powerful ways.

For director Mike Jonathan, the project began with a fascination for Hori Parata’s work and worldview.

Parata has long been recognised for his deep commitment to environmental restoration and Māori-led conservation initiatives. His ability to weave together mātauranga Māori and scientific inquiry provided the foundation for a story that extends far beyond traditional environmental documentaries.

As filming progressed, the project evolved from a simple exploration of ecological relationships into something far more personal.

At its heart, the documentary asks fundamental questions about connection: how people relate to the natural world, how ecosystems are intertwined, and what can be learned when Indigenous perspectives are placed at the centre of environmental conversations.

The result is a film that blends science, whakapapa and storytelling in ways that challenge audiences to rethink their relationship with the world around them.

The film’s title reflects three unlikely but deeply significant elements of Aotearoa’s natural environment.

Whales have long held cultural significance within Māori traditions, often viewed as ancestors, guardians and navigators connected to the wider moana.

Kiore, the Polynesian rat, arrived with the first voyaging ancestors and remains an important part of discussions around migration, ecology and cultural history.

Kauri, among the oldest and most revered living organisms in Aotearoa, stand as enduring symbols of resilience, connection and environmental responsibility.

While these species may initially appear unrelated, Unlikely Kin explores the intricate relationships that connect them—and, ultimately, connect all living things.

The documentary invites audiences to consider how ecological systems function not as isolated components, but as interconnected networks shaped by both natural processes and human actions.

One of the defining features of the film is the relationship between the filmmakers and the whānau at its centre.

Documentary storytelling often depends on trust, particularly when exploring personal histories, cultural knowledge and deeply held values.

Over several years, Mike Jonathan and the Tohorā Films team worked closely alongside Hori Parata and his whānau, allowing relationships to develop naturally and ensuring the story remained authentic to the people involved.

That long-term commitment has enabled the film to move beyond observation and into a more intimate space, capturing not only environmental themes but also the emotional and cultural dimensions of the kaupapa.

The result is a documentary grounded in genuine relationships rather than simply documenting events from the outside.

The selection of Unlikely Kin as the opening night film for Doc Edge 2026 represents a significant milestone for Māori storytelling.

Doc Edge has become one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most respected documentary festivals, providing a platform for stories that challenge, inspire and inform audiences around the world.

For Māori filmmakers, the recognition reflects growing international interest in Indigenous perspectives on environmental stewardship, sustainability and cultural resilience.

As climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation continue to dominate global conversations, films such as Unlikely Kin offer alternative ways of understanding humanity’s place within the natural world.

Rather than positioning people as separate from nature, the film draws upon Māori concepts of interconnectedness and collective responsibility.

The documentary arrives at a time when Aotearoa is increasingly grappling with questions about environmental protection, freshwater management, biodiversity and climate adaptation.

Across the country, iwi and hapū are playing leading roles in conservation efforts, river restoration projects and ecological regeneration initiatives grounded in tikanga and mātauranga Māori.

Unlikely Kin contributes to those conversations by highlighting how Indigenous knowledge systems can help inform responses to contemporary environmental challenges.

The film’s message is ultimately one of connection—between people, species, landscapes and generations.

For audiences attending Doc Edge, Unlikely Kin promises more than a story about whales, kiore or kauri.

It is a reflection on belonging, responsibility and whakapapa.

It is a reminder that environmental issues are not simply scientific challenges but cultural and human ones as well.

And it is an example of how Māori storytelling continues to offer powerful insights into some of the most important questions facing the world today.

As the lights go down on opening night, Unlikely Kin will place a uniquely Māori perspective at the centre of an international stage—inviting audiences to see the world not as separate parts, but as a living network of relationships that binds us all.

#DocEdge2026 #UnlikelyKin #HoriParata #MikeJonathan #TohorāFilms #Whakapapa #Environment #MāoriStorytelling #Kauri #Tohorā #DocumentaryFilm #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Wellington has emerged from one of its most significant weather emergencies in recent years after Mayor Andrew Little lifted the local state of emergency that had been declared across the capital’s Southern and Eastern wards.

The emergency was triggered by severe coastal conditions that battered Wellington’s exposed southern coastline, with waves reaching an estimated 10 to 11 metres and creating dangerous conditions for residents, infrastructure and emergency services.

Hundreds of homes were evacuated, roads were closed, ferry sailings were cancelled and flights disrupted as the capital faced the full force of a powerful storm system.

While the immediate threat has now eased, the event has reignited questions about Wellington’s vulnerability to increasingly severe weather and what must be done to protect coastal communities in the years ahead.

The decision to declare a local state of emergency was made as forecasts indicated exceptionally dangerous coastal conditions that posed a direct threat to public safety.

Emergency management teams became increasingly concerned about the combination of massive swells, high tides and coastal inundation affecting communities along Wellington’s southern coastline.

The declaration provided authorities with additional powers to coordinate emergency responses, issue evacuation orders and deploy resources where needed.

Residents in vulnerable coastal locations were urged to leave their homes as a precautionary measure, with officials warning that conditions could deteriorate rapidly.

For many Wellingtonians, the images of waves crashing over seawalls, flooding roads and threatening homes were a stark reminder of the city’s exposure to extreme weather events.

The event provided one of the first major tests of Wellington’s emergency response systems since Andrew Little became Mayor.

Civil Defence, emergency services, council staff and community organisations worked together to monitor conditions, communicate with residents and coordinate evacuations where necessary.

While significant disruption occurred across the city, authorities say the response helped minimise risks to public safety.

Road closures were implemented across several coastal areas, while transport networks experienced major interruptions.

Interislander and Bluebridge ferry services were affected, creating challenges for travellers and freight operators. Air travel was also disrupted as strong winds and dangerous conditions impacted Wellington Airport operations.

Despite the scale of the event, officials say cooperation between agencies and residents played an important role in reducing harm.

Beyond the immediate impacts, the emergency has become part of a larger conversation about climate adaptation and Wellington’s long-term resilience.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including severe storms, coastal flooding and erosion.

Wellington’s geography makes it particularly vulnerable.

Many of the city’s roads, infrastructure assets and residential areas sit close to the coastline, leaving them exposed to rising sea levels and increasingly powerful storm surges.

The latest event highlighted the challenges facing local authorities as they attempt to balance immediate response needs with long-term planning.

Questions are now being asked about whether existing coastal protection measures remain sufficient and what future investments may be required.

For residents living along Wellington’s south coast, the storm was more than a weather event—it was a direct reminder of the risks associated with coastal living.

Many families were forced to leave their homes with little notice, uncertain about the extent of potential damage.

For some communities, concerns about coastal erosion and flooding are becoming increasingly common as extreme weather events occur more frequently.

The emotional and financial toll of repeated weather events is also becoming a growing concern for homeowners, businesses and insurers.

Across Aotearoa, councils are grappling with similar challenges as communities confront the realities of climate adaptation and managed retreat discussions begin to emerge in vulnerable areas.

Mayor Andrew Little has indicated that while the immediate emergency has passed, the lessons from the event cannot be ignored.

Local government leaders around the country are increasingly being forced to consider how infrastructure, housing and public services can be adapted to withstand future climate-related risks.

Potential solutions include strengthened coastal defences, improved drainage systems, updated hazard planning, resilient transport networks and long-term decisions about where future development should occur.

However, many of these measures require substantial investment and difficult conversations about risk, affordability and community expectations.

While Wellington’s state of emergency has now been lifted, the storm may ultimately be remembered as more than a short-term weather event.

For many observers, it offered a glimpse into the challenges that climate change is likely to bring to coastal cities across New Zealand.

The immediate focus remains on recovery and assessing damage.

But the broader question facing Wellington—and much of the country—is how communities prepare for a future where extreme weather events may become increasingly common.

As the capital returns to normal, the conversation is already shifting from emergency response to resilience, adaptation and what it will take to protect future generations living on the front line of a changing climate.

#WellingtonStorm #AndrewLittle #StateOfEmergency #ClimateChange #ExtremeWeather #CoastalErosion #CivilDefence #Wellington #ClimateResilience #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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Aotearoa is entering a period of profound demographic change, with falling birth rates, rising living costs, workforce shortages and increasing migration creating challenges that could reshape the country’s social and economic future.

According to leading Māori demographer Professor Tahu Kukutai, the next decade will require careful planning and long-term thinking as New Zealand confronts population trends that are already beginning to alter communities, workplaces and whānau life across the country.

Speaking on a panel examining the future of population in Aotearoa, Professor Kukutai highlighted the growing pressures facing families and warned that demographic shifts now underway will have consequences extending far beyond simple population statistics.

One of the most significant trends facing New Zealand is population ageing.

Like many developed nations, Aotearoa is seeing people live longer while fewer children are being born. This shift means a growing proportion of the population will be older, placing increasing demands on healthcare, aged care services and government support systems.

At the same time, the number of working-age people available to support these systems is growing more slowly than in previous generations.

For Māori, however, the picture is more complex.

While the Māori population remains younger than the national average, Māori communities are also experiencing demographic transitions that will influence future education, housing, employment and health planning.

Professor Kukutai says understanding these trends is critical because today’s policy decisions will shape outcomes for generations to come.

Rising living costs are increasingly influencing how New Zealanders think about having children.

The costs associated with housing, childcare, education and everyday living continue to rise, creating new pressures for families already balancing work and financial commitments.

Many younger adults are delaying starting families or choosing to have fewer children than previous generations.

For some, concerns about housing affordability, job security and economic uncertainty are making long-term family planning more difficult.

These decisions are contributing to declining fertility rates across much of the country, with New Zealand joining a growing list of nations experiencing lower birth rates.

The implications extend beyond individual households.

Lower birth rates can affect school rolls, workforce growth, economic productivity and the sustainability of public services over time.

For Māori communities, where whānau structures and intergenerational relationships play a central role in social wellbeing, these shifts may also have important cultural implications.

Professor Kukutai also points to growing concerns about employment insecurity and economic restructuring.

Across several sectors, including manufacturing, energy, forestry and parts of the public service, workers have faced significant uncertainty in recent years.

Job losses and reduced economic opportunities can trigger population movement, particularly from regional areas where employment options may already be limited.

When people leave communities in search of work elsewhere, the effects ripple through local economies, schools, sports clubs and community organisations.

For Māori communities, which often have deep whakapapa connections to particular regions, population loss can weaken cultural, social and economic resilience.

The challenge for policymakers will be creating sustainable economic opportunities that allow people to remain connected to their communities while still accessing meaningful employment.

One of the most visible demographic trends continues to be the movement of New Zealanders across the Tasman.

Australia’s stronger wages, larger labour market and broader employment opportunities have long attracted New Zealand workers, particularly younger adults seeking career advancement and financial stability.

Recent economic pressures have intensified that trend, with many skilled workers choosing to relocate.

Professor Kukutai says the loss of young workers has implications beyond labour shortages.

Migration affects the composition of communities, reduces the pool of future leaders and influences the country’s economic capacity over time.

The departure of skilled workers can also place pressure on sectors already experiencing shortages, including healthcare, construction, education and technology.

For Māori communities, migration raises additional questions about maintaining cultural connections, language revitalisation and relationships with iwi and hapū when increasing numbers of whānau live overseas.

As one of New Zealand’s foremost experts in Māori data sovereignty, Professor Kukutai has consistently argued that understanding demographic change requires better use of data and stronger Māori participation in decision-making.

Accurate population information plays a critical role in planning for housing, healthcare, education, infrastructure and social services.

However, she has also emphasised that Māori communities must have greater control over how their data is collected, interpreted and used.

Data sovereignty has become an increasingly important issue as governments and institutions seek to respond to complex social challenges while ensuring Indigenous rights and perspectives are respected.

The demographic changes facing Aotearoa are unlikely to be resolved quickly.

An ageing population, lower fertility rates, rising living costs and continued migration are trends that will shape the country’s future for decades.

Professor Kukutai argues that responding effectively will require more than short-term political solutions.

Instead, policymakers will need to think across generations, balancing economic growth with social wellbeing while ensuring communities remain resilient in the face of change.

For Māori, the challenge is not only adapting to demographic shifts but ensuring that responses are grounded in kaupapa Māori values, support whānau wellbeing and strengthen tino rangatiratanga.

As New Zealand navigates an increasingly uncertain future, the demographic choices made today may prove just as important as any economic or political decision.

Because ultimately, population is not just about numbers—it is about people, whānau, communities and the future shape of Aotearoa itself.

#TahuKukutai #PopulationChange #MāoriDemography #DataSovereignty #CostOfLiving #Migration #Australia #FutureOfWork #WhānauOra #AotearoaFuture #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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A leading disability advocate is calling for urgent reform of New Zealand’s health system after new research revealed disabled people—particularly Māori and Pacific communities—continue to experience significantly poorer health outcomes, while remaining largely invisible within national health data.

Bernadette Jones (Ngā Wairiki, Ngāti Apa), Associate Professor and long-time advocate for disability equity, says the findings expose a fundamental problem at the heart of the health system: disabled people are often not counted properly, making it harder to identify inequities and address them effectively.

The research points to persistent disparities in access to healthcare, preventable illness, and premature mortality while highlighting the lack of comprehensive disability data across many areas of the health sector.

For Jones, the issue is not simply about statistics—it is about whether disabled people are seen, heard, and included in decisions that affect their lives.

One of the report’s most significant findings is the absence of reliable disability information across many health datasets.

Without accurate data, policymakers and health providers can struggle to identify where services are failing and where additional support is needed.

Jones says the consequences are felt every day by disabled people attempting to navigate healthcare systems that are often not designed with their needs in mind.

When disability is poorly measured or omitted entirely, barriers to care can remain hidden, making inequities more difficult to address.

The result is a cycle where poorer outcomes persist because the evidence needed to drive change is incomplete.

Advocates argue that meaningful reform begins with understanding who is being left behind and why.

The report found particularly concerning outcomes for Māori and Pacific disabled people, who often experience multiple layers of disadvantage.

Many already face barriers associated with ethnicity, socioeconomic status and geographic location. Disability can compound those challenges, creating additional obstacles to accessing healthcare, education, employment and community support.

Health experts say this intersection of inequities contributes to higher rates of preventable illness, delayed treatment and poorer long-term health outcomes.

For Māori, the findings also raise questions about how effectively the health system is meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Advocates argue that equity cannot be achieved without acknowledging the different experiences and realities faced by disabled Māori and Pacific peoples.

Jones says one of the most important changes required is ensuring disabled people have a genuine role in shaping health policy and service delivery.

Too often, decisions are made about disabled communities without their direct involvement.

Advocates have long argued that people with lived experience bring essential knowledge about what works, what barriers exist and how services can be improved.

Meaningful engagement goes beyond consultation and requires disabled people to participate in leadership, governance, and decision-making processes.

The principle of “nothing about us without us” remains a central message across the disability rights movement.

Jones says health agencies must move beyond symbolic engagement and ensure disabled voices influence outcomes from the beginning of policy development through to implementation.

The research also highlights evidence of preventable deaths and barriers to care experienced by disabled people.

These findings have intensified calls for urgent action from the Ministry of Health, Health New Zealand, and other agencies responsible for delivering health services.

Advocates say immediate priorities should include improving data collection, reducing physical and communication barriers, strengthening workforce training, and ensuring health services are accessible and culturally appropriate.

There are also calls for greater investment in disability-specific expertise across the health system, particularly in areas where disabled people continue to report poor experiences.

The challenge is not only improving healthcare delivery but ensuring disabled people can access services safely, consistently, and without discrimination.

The findings arrive at a time when debates about health equity are increasingly prominent across Aotearoa.

Recent reports have highlighted disparities affecting Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled communities, and other groups who continue to experience poorer outcomes than the wider population.

For Jones, disability equity must become a core part of those conversations rather than an afterthought.

She argues that improving outcomes requires recognising disability as a fundamental health equity issue and addressing it with the same urgency applied to other forms of disadvantage.

The report provides some of the clearest evidence yet that disabled people continue to face significant barriers within New Zealand’s health system.

For Māori and Pacific disabled communities, those challenges are often magnified by existing inequities across housing, education, employment and healthcare.

Advocates hope the findings will prompt action rather than simply adding to a growing body of evidence documenting disparities.

For Bernadette Jones, the path forward begins with visibility, accountability and genuine partnership.

Because until disabled people are fully included in the data, the decisions and the solutions, the health system will continue to fall short of delivering equitable outcomes for all.

#DisabilityEquity #MāoriHealth #PacificHealth #BernadetteJones #HealthEquity #DisabilityRights #Hauora #HealthNZ #MinistryOfHealth #WhānauOra #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews

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The post Matthew Gifford | Kaua e tatari, whakarite kia rite! appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

E ngarue tonu ana te whenua i te hinganga o Len Bristowe, he tautōhito i te ao pāpāho Māori, he kaipupuri i te mana o te reo o Ngāti Hine, ā, he kaitarahiti hoki i Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust.

Hau noa ana tōna rongo mō tōna momo motuhake, mō tōna kaha ki te whakangahau, me tōna mātauranga i tohaina nuitia ki ngā kaiwhakarongo huri noa i te motu.

I whai wāhi kōrero mātou ki a ia i ngā tau kua pahure ake nei, ā, ko tētahi o āna tino tūmanako, ko te oranga tonutanga o ōna iwi, o ōna whānau, me ngā hapori puta noa i Te Tai Tokerau.

The post Len Bristowe | Kia tau ngā hua nui ki Te Taitokerau puta noa. appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.