Improving Cancer Health Outcomes for Maori

Enabling Maori to participate in and contribute towards strategies for

Maori Health Improvement

The most important need to be met by the Central Cancer Network (CCN) is the improvement of Maori health status in the Central region which includes Te Tairawhiti, the achievement of whanua ora.

The Central Cancer Network has a responsibility to assist the Crown in fulfiling its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and are guided in that responsibility by the New Zealand Health and Disability Act 2000 (NZHD Act) and other policy directions from the Crown. 

The Act requires that CCN take active steps to reduce health disparities by improving health outcomes for iwi/Maori. In this responsibility CCN must establish and maintain processes that enable Maori to participate in and contribute towards strategies for Maori health improvement. This recognises and respects the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The provision of this service is guided by He Korowai Oranga: 2002 Maori Health Stragey and Whakatataka Maori Health Action Plan 2002 - 2005 as directed by the Ministry of Health.

There is also a continuation of that plan called Whakatataka Tuarua: Maori Health Action Plan 2006 - 2011.

The Cancer Control Strategy and Action Plan 2005 - 2010 refers specifically to Maori initiatives in objectives 95 to 102.

Reducing Inequalities for Maori

We all have a role to play in reducing inequalities in health in New Zealand. Regardless of how we measure health we find that particular groups are consistently disadvantaged in regard to health. And these inequalities affect us all.

Health inequalities are avoidable, unnecessary and unjust differences in the health of groups of people. Reducing health inequalities is greatly assisted by tools that enable the assessment of interventions such as policies, programmes and services. Such tools examine the potential of these interventions to contribute to reducing health inequalities. From such an assessment informed decisions can be made about how to build and strengthen policies, programmes and services.

The Health Equity Assessment Tool: A User's Guide is designed to facilitate the use of one such tool: The Health Equaity Assessment Tool (HEAT). HEAT aims to promote equity in health in New Zealand. Whanua Ora Health Impact Assessment is one way to methodically consider health impacts and influence - but not pre-empt - decision making.

Resources                                                                 

Demystifying Cancer for Maori Toolkit

Marae Protocols

Tupeka Kore

Te Hotu Manawa

Completed Work

Central Cancer Network held a hui at Orongomai Marae, Lower Hutt on 11th and 12th March 2010.  A diverse range of speakers were able to present on Cancer Control and their presentations are linked below;

  • Matatuhi Arahi Service Plan for Maori - Cancer Society New Zealand, Wellington Division
  • Te Huarahi O Nga Tangata Katoa - An analysis of the cancer journey of people from the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa District Health Boards

    • Last updated 5th January 2012