Marae and Kohanga Commend Child Health Findings

Press Release: Marae and Kohanga Commend Child Health Findings
25 Nov 2013

Marae, Kohanga Reo and Māori Health Providers in Auckland commend the Health Select Committee on its findings that investment in children in the first three years of life is needed.

The Health Select Committee just last week released the report Preventing Child Abuse and Improving Children’s Health. It made nearly 130 recommendations to the Government, ranging from warning labels on alcohol to a new national target to book 90 per cent of all pregnant women with a maternity care provider by their 10th week of pregnancy.

Papakura Marae has run ante-natal programmes for many years. Tony Kake, the CEO of the marae sees it as vital that women are supported and encouraged to enrol early in ante-natal care. “Whanau coming through the programme often comment how confident they feel about raising their children after coming through the course. To hear that the select committee views these types of programmes as crucial is really good to hear”, says Mr Kake.

Kohanga Reo in Manurewa, like many early ECEs, have had their fair share of kids with health concerns like glue ear, a condition that, left untreated, can cause lifelong problems. With health checks performed in the kohanga, they’ve managed to detect and prevent many conditions taking root. “With these checks, we’ve picked up on so many issues that would have otherwise gone undetected”, says Rangi McLean, Chairperson of Manurewa Marae- the marae that umbrellas the seven Manurewa kohanga.

Regional and National Provider Hāpai Te Hauora supports investment in healthy environments for tamariki and whanau. “Investment in the early years will have great reach across the range of New Zealand families and therefore is likely to address inequalities” Says Papatuanuku Nahi of Hāpai Te Hauora. The report is now to be considered by the Government.

ENDS

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