Newtown Union Health Service

Maori input important part of Newtown Union success

In celebrating 20 years providing care for the community, Newtown Union Health Service (NUHS) has highlighted its status as a true leader in the primary health field.

At a special event to mark the anniversary, Governor-General, the Honourable Anand Satyanand said the services, “stands out as an exceptionally successful model of the primary health care approach.”

Active involvement of Maori in the development of NUHS since its inception has been integral to that success.

In addition to a high level of collaboration with Maori health providers, Wellington City Council and community organisations, Kaumatua Te Urikore (Jules) Waenga and Kuia Nanny Sylvia Hemopo provide cultural guidance. Jules Taniwha is the Maori representative on the policy board and the Maori staff Roopu actively supports NUHS’s bicultural goals.

NUHS also has roopu of Maori clients, the most active being the Diabetes Roopu, established in 2003 by Maori community worker, Maude Governor.

Initially focused on the needs and priorities of whanau with diabetes, the Roopu has broadened its focus to consider overall health care and provide direction and guidance to NUHS’s service to Maori.

Maude also established successful projects for increasing Maori participation in breast screening from 20% to 80% and cervical screening.

Maude said a kanohi ki te kanohi approach and whanau-based health care provided in a culturally safe environment were key factors in that success. Most important though was that Maori were “treated with dignity and respect.”

In Health for the People: Newtown Union Health Service – 20 Years On (2007), Maude says that one important aspect was “to ensure that services are delivered in a way that is culturally appropriate and comfortable for the whanau. To achieve this, we need to listen to and be corrected by the whanau and communities we work with… If we provide appropriate services and education it will enable whanau to ultimately work towards tino rangatiratanga of their own health needs and wellbeing.”