Te Aho o Te Kahu has today released Rongohia Te Reo, Whatua He Oranga | The Voices of Whānau Māori Affected by Cancer, a report which aims to highlight the experiences of Māori within the cancer system.
“I want to acknowledge and thank all those who gave their voice to Rongohia Te Reo, Whatua He Oranga,” chief executive of Te Aho o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control Agency, Nicola Hill said. “
The experiences detailed in the report are sobering, and a reminder that while work has been done to improve Māori cancer experiences and outcomes, there is still much progress needed.”
The report is the result of Te Aho o Te Kahu engaging in a series of 13 hui across the motu. The aim of these hui was to hear the voices of whānau Māori - particularly their experiences of the cancer system - and work collaboratively to find solutions to the challenges they face.
Rongohia Te Reo, Whatua He Oranga highlights a range of barriers which hui attendees raised – from not being given the right information to experiences of racism.
Hui participants gave clear examples of what has not worked for them, what has been beneficial, and how the system could better serve their communities and whānau.
This included, but was not limited to, ensuring there is more Māori leadership at every level of the health system, the importance of Māori retaining rangatiratanga over their data, the promotion of rongoā alongside conventional treatment and addressing better access to primary care.
“The kōrero shared by hui participants paints a picture of a cancer system which hasn’t catered to Māori whānau as best it could. This is not surprising, and something the recent health system reforms aim to address,” Hill said.
In addition to Rongohia Te Reo, Whatua He Oranga, Te Aho o Te Kahu has also released two complimentary reports today. Te Tikanga briefly explains the methodology and kaupapa Māori principles used to create and deliver the hui series; while He Urupare summarises ways in which the Government is working to address the issues raised.
The three reports will be shared with all health agencies to assist them in the design and delivery of future health system change. The insights will not just be applicable to cancer, but also to the wider health system. “Te Aho o Te Kahu has already begun work with Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand and Te Aka Whai Ora - Māori Health Authority, to ensure the voices of whānau are embedded into future work.
“Some of the issues whānau outlined are already being addressed by the new health entities as well as many community health providers and NGOs. Other concerns are more complex and will take a sustained effort over a long period of time to resolve.”
“What is heartening is that there are many dedicated people working within the system who want to help ensure Māori are well supported through every step of their cancer journey. We acknowledge the efforts of all of these people who work across the motu.”
“Te Aho o Te Kahu was created, in part, to ensure cancer outcomes improve for Māori. This is work which we are dedicated to – and Rongohia Te Reo, Whatua He Oranga will help us in our goal of achieving this going forward.”