PHANZ CHAMPIONS EQUITY AT HĀPAI TE HAUORA SYMPOSIUM IN WELLINGTON

Photo 1: Dr Cadence Kaumoana (CEO, PHANZ) & Nari Faiers (Co-President, PHANZ)

Photo 2: Dr Ihirangi Heke (Atua Matua)


Aotearoa New Zealand – The Hāpai te Hauora symposium, held in November at Te Papa in Wellington, provided a vital opportunity for the Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) to strengthen its partnerships with Māori health leaders, health promoters, and policymakers. Dr Cadence Kaumoana, CEO of PHANZ, attended the event to support efforts aimed at advancing health equity and community-led initiatives.

The symposium brought together a diverse group of health experts, community advocates, environmental and climate change specialists, AI and digital technology organisations, and global leaders in public health. Together, they addressed some of the most pressing health challenges facing Māori and Pacific communities. Key themes included health equity, tobacco harm reduction, food sovereignty, and the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in shaping public health outcomes.

“This was more than just a symposium – it was a movement for change,” said Dr Kaumoana. "We must listen, act, and be guided by the voices of Māori and Pacific leaders. The health system must honour Te Tiriti and ensure that health equity is a lived reality for all whānau."

Dr Ihirangi Heke (Atua Matua), a keynote speaker at the symposium, highlighted the unique contributions of Māori knowledge to public health and shared his perspective on well-being: "Contribute to the mana of the maunga, and through that practice, you will be well." His message highlighted the strong link between the symposium theme: “Oranga Whenua, Oranga Tangata”, well-being, the environment, and the health principles of Māori culture.

The symposium made it clear that Māori public health leadership goes beyond traditional clinical and epidemiological approaches. Experts in environmental health, traditional knowledge, and indigenous health frameworks played crucial roles in the discussions, emphasising a holistic and kaupapa-driven approach to achieving health equity.

PHANZ continues to advocate for culturally relevant, community-led solutions, reinforcing its commitment to Indigenous-led health responses. The Hāpai symposium strengthens PHANZ’s position as a key partner in addressing the social determinants of health and driving transformative change across the public health sector. 

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