Online Health Hub Launched to Celebrate Hapū Health

Unique Online Health Hub Launched to Celebrate Hapū Health

The health of whānau and hapū was celebrated at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whakatāne on Friday 24th February, as Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service, along with many collaborative partners, launched a one of a kind online Māori health hub to local whānau, hapū and iwi.

Hapū Hauora is a unique health resource hub available at www.hapuhauora.health.nz that has been developed with hapū and whānau to specifically improve Māori health and celebrate whānau wellbeing.

Hapū Hauora provides hapū with baskets of knowledge, 'Ngā Kete Mātauranga', around three health areas; oranga kai (healthy food), auahi kore (smokefree), and te karonga I ngā momo mate (avoiding infections). Within each of these kete are resources, tips, interactive tools, and templates whānau can use to improve their health - using the marae to set the example and lead the way for tamariki.

Hapū Hauora Kaupapa Lead, Brad Bluett, says Hapū Hauora has been developed to help whānau and hapū improve their knowledge and skills around key health areas and celebrates traditional concepts of hauora. “We hope that by providing hapū with a resource which supports them to make the healthy choice the easy choice, it will lead to improved health and wellbeing.”

Mr Bluett says an integral component of the initiative has been the inclusion of hapū throughout its development. “Group interviews were held with a number of local Eastern Bay of Plenty hapū to discuss key health priorities. Additionally, a Reference Group was established to provide overall guidance and advice to the initiative to ensure this resource would resonate with Māori.” The Reference Group consists of active hapū members who also have health sector experience, a number of them employed within local Māori health providers.

Hapū Hauora will be a living resource and will be continuously updated with relevant Māori health information. “Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the resource is the ability for whānau and hapū to contribute success stories of health in action at their marae, allowing all whānau to share knowledge and learn from each other,” says Brad.

In the near future there will be two additional health areas developed to support whānau to whakakore waipiro (reduce alcohol intake) and increase korikori tīnana (physical activity).

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