Remoteness no barrier for iwi

The North Island east cape settlement of Māhia Peninsula has traditionally been starved of health services because of historical red tape and boundary issues. 

So, when Rongomaiwahine Iwi Trust and Pinnacle signed a formal agreement in February to promote the iwi’s hauora ora aspirations in the community it felt historic, said Regional Services manager Bevan Bayne. 

On hand were Pinnacle’s Justin Butcher and Rongomaiwahine’s Terence Maro. In chatting at the ceremony, the two chief executives realised they already had a shared history, they were at The University of Waikato together several years before. 

“It was a great day with mana whenua including their whole Rongomaiwahine kaimahi and whaikōrero which was welcoming, thought provoking, and humorous,” said Bevan. 

Māhia is nestled between Wairoa and Gisborne on a largely rural peninsula. Rongomaiwahine is the mandated iwi authority representing over 4,500 members who whakapapa to Māhia Peninsula rohe. 

The relationship between the two groups started 18 months before when Ngāti Rongomaiwahine chair Paul Ratapu and then Pinnacle district manager Clayton Kohatu got together to discuss ways to support the iwi and its hapu - Ngāi Tama, Ngāi Tarewa, Ngāi Te Rākatō, Ngāi Tu and Ngāti Hikairo. 

Suman Te Puni and cultural partner Renata Kururangi responded on behalf of Pinnacle and said the organisation was humbled to be invited to support the kaupapa. 

The Pinnacle team have provided workshops since the powhiri to help build skills and confidence among the iwi, said Bevan. 

The Rongomaiwahine leadership team asked Pinnacle to help build skills and capabilities within their iwi so they could help their whānau.  

“They also wanted us to deliver some clinical services to support those who were missing out and we are.”