Te Mātuku

03/09/2026

When you need health care, are you able to get it?

In 2025, more than half of the whānau we heard from told us there had been times they didn't see a primary health care professional when they needed to because of wait times.

A year on, we want to know what’s changed.

Perhaps getting an appointment has become easier. Maybe you've found a service or provider that works really well for your whānau. Or perhaps there are still barriers that need attention.

We need to hear all of those experiences.

Whānau Voice gives Te Mātuku evidence of the real experiences of our communities, helping us advocate for what is working, strengthen what could work better, and keep whānau priorities in front of decision-makers.

Have your say in our latest Whānau Voice survey - coming soon.

See what whānau across Te Ranga Tupua told us last time by reading the Whānau Voice reports on our website www.tematuku.maori.nz

02/09/2026

Māmā, we want to hear from you.

Last year, whānau told us that finding an LMC or midwife could be one of the hardest parts of the pregnancy journey. But once connected, many māmā spoke positively about the care and support they received.

So, what’s changed?

We want to hear about your experiences today, what is working well for māmā and pēpi, what could be better, and what would make the journey easier for whānau.
Every experience shared helps us understand what good care looks like from a whānau perspective and where change is still needed.

Keep an eye out for our latest Whānau Voice survey and add your kōrero to the picture.

Read the findings from our previous Whānau Voice surveys on our website www.tematuku.maori.nz

31/08/2026

What’s changed for whānau living rurally?

In our 2025 Whānau Voice survey, rural whānau told us that accessing the health services they need can be difficult.

Now we want to hear from you again.

What’s working well? What’s improved? And where are the gaps that still make it harder for you and your whānau to access care?

Your experiences help Te Mātuku build a clearer picture of hauora across Te Ranga Tupua and advocate for services that work for our whānau, wherever they live.

Our next Whānau Voice survey is coming soon. Share your whakaaro and help shape what comes next.

You can read what whānau told us in our 2025 Whānau Voice reports on our website www.tematuku.maori.nz

26/08/2026

Our rohe is big. Our communities are diverse. And every whānau brings a different experience of hauora.

Over the coming weeks, Te Mātuku will be heading out across the rohe to hear directly from whānau about what hauora looks like where you live, what’s working, where the gaps are, and what you want to see change.

Understanding the health needs of our rohe starts with listening to the whānau who call it home.

Watch this space. 👀

24/08/2026

Across our rohe, in our communities, our whānau know what is working, what isn’t, and what needs to change.

Soon, Te Mātuku will be heading back out across the rohe for our next round of Whānau Voice engagements, listening to the experiences of whānau, and making sure those experiences help shape the health system and the decisions that affect our communities.

From the awa to the maunga, our towns to our rural communities, we’re coming to you.

👀 Keep an eye out. More details coming soon.

21/08/2026

21 August 2026

PRESS RELEASE
TE MĀTUKU

Community voice at the heart of health centre expansion

Te Mātuku iwi-Māori partnership board has celebrated today's turning of the sod for the expansion of the Waimarino Health Centre in Raetihi, acknowledging the whānau, iwi, providers and community leaders whose voices and advocacy have helped carry the kaupapa to this point.

Te Mātuku Chief Executive Elijah Pue says today's sod-turning is a significant milestone for a community that has waited many years to see the project move into construction.

“This is an important day for the Waimarino community. Through two significant community consultation processes, whānau have been clear about what they need from their local health services, and they have continued to advocate for those needs to be recognised. I acknowledge the government’s investment in our community."

Pue says the project reinforces the importance of whānau voice and lived experience influencing how services are designed and delivered, particularly in rural and isolated communities.

“Whānau living in rural communities experience the health system differently. They know the barriers to accessing care, where the gaps are and what would make a meaningful difference for their whānau.”

“The challenge for the health system is not simply to ask communities what they need, but to ensure what they tell us genuinely influences the decisions and solutions that follow. The original dream, envisaged in ‘Manawanui, Manawaroa, Manawaora E’ was for an integrated centre of wellness, where the health and wellbeing journey is an experience grounded in kotahitanga – united effort, connected, and inclusive.

While the wellness centre is not ultimately being delivered in this project right now, Te Mātuku is pleased to see the Waimarino Health Centre now being significantly extended and refurbished.

“I look forward to celebrating a wellness centre one day operating in Raetihi. Today’s sod-turning is, however, a step in the right direction and I acknowledge Te Whatu Ora, Ruapehu Health Ltd and others in realising this crucial step toward ultimate community wellbeing.”

Te Mātuku became directly involved in the project approximately 12 months ago through its partnership with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. As co-chair of the project's governance group, Pue has worked alongside Health New Zealand, Ruapehu Health Ltd, iwi and local providers, providing leadership and strengthening the connection between the project and the community to ensure whānau voice remained central to its development.

“This is a practical example of how an IMPB can work with in the system. We partner with the system where it makes sense, working alongside iwi and providers to bring community knowledge and experience into the places where decisions are being made.”

“For Te Mātuku, partnership with Health New Zealand must be centred on better community solutions and better health outcomes for patients and whānau. We are excited by today’s development and look forward to continuing our partnership with Te Whatu Ora that places patients and whānau at the centre.”

The $4.4 million redevelopment will include a new 345-square-metre extension alongside refurbishment of the existing facility, supporting public, primary and community health services to work more closely together from one location.

Construction of the expanded Waimarino Health Centre starts today and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2027.

ENDS

Media contact: Elijah Pue, 027 740 6253

Photo 📸 Viv Hoeta

10/08/2026

📢 We're Hiring | Manu Pukengarau (Team Coordinator)

Te Mātuku is looking for a skilled and highly organised person to join our kaupapa as Manu Pukengarau - Team Coordinator.

Established under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, Te Mātuku is the Iwi Māori Partnership Board for Te Ranga Tupua, championing the health and wellbeing of our whānau, hapū and iwi.

This is a key support role that helps keep our organisation running smoothly, providing administrative, finance and communications support to the Manu Taiko and wider team. From coordinating meetings and travel to supporting payroll, board processes and office systems, you'll play an important role in enabling our mahi.

✅ Immediate start
✅ Part-time (20 hours per week) fixed-term position through to December 2026
✅ Whanganui-based, with flexible working arrangements available
✅ Starting salary of $75,000 (pro-rated), dependent on skills and experience

We're looking for someone who is organised, dependable, detail-focused and confident working with MS365, Xero, Smartly and BoardPro. Experience supporting a Māori organisation, or the health and wellbeing sector, along with an understanding of te ao Māori, would be an advantage.

📅 Applications close Thursday 21 August 2026 at 5.00pm. We encourage early applications, as shortlisting may begin before the closing date.

Come and be part of a team committed to improving outcomes for whānau across Te Ranga Tupua.

Team Coordinator supporting Te Mātuku iwi Māori partnership board with administrative, finance and communications coordination.

17/06/2026

Hari huringa tau 35 ki tō tātou reo irirangi Māori, ki a Awa FM e whakapāhō tonu nei i ngā kaupapa huhua ki ngā tōpito o te rohe whānui o Te Ranga Tupua.

Our Manu Pūkengarau, Bubba Taurua and Manu Raraunga, Brylee Stanley had a wonderful time celebrating this key milestone for our hapori as our iwi radio reaches 35 years on-air, “our people, our stories, our way” mai rā anō!

Ka nui te mihi, Awa Fm Whanganui 🧡

30/03/2026

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22/03/2026

Nō te rangi nei pōwhiritia ai ngā kaimahi, mātanga raraunga hōu a Te Mātuku ki Te Ao Hōu Marae.

We are excited to introduce the newest members of our Te Mātuku team, Brylee Stanley - Manu Raraunga | Manager Data, Insights, Reporting (Te Ātihaunui a Pāpārangi, Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi, Ngāpuhi) and Raymond Morunga - Kaitātaki Raraunga | Lead Data, Insights, Reporting (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi).

There is huge mana in data to ensure the voices of whānau in Te Ranga Tupua aren’t just heard but translated into actionable insights, influencing meaningful change in local health systems.

We look forward to gaining further momentum in our mahi alongside Brylee and Raymond. Haramai tētahi āhua! 😍