Pitopito Kōrero | News
This week is Men's Health Week in New Zealand. To spotlight this important occasion, we've asked our General Manager - Māori Health Equity and Cultural Stewardship, Tīhema Baker, some questions around mental health and wellbeing. What does Men’s Health Week mean to you, and why is it important? This week is a good reminder for our tāne to stop and reflect on their wellbeing. I think we’re getting better at ditching the traditional “harden up” mentality, but we still have a long way to go and our health statistics prove it – we die earlier, our mental health is worse, and we’re far less likely to talk to each other about our issues, let alone to a doctor. What do you think are the biggest health challenges facing men right now? Mental health is a major area of concern for me. I don’t think many tāne look after or even understand their own mental health very well. I’m also particularly concerned about our rangatahi, and some of the content that’s influencing their understanding of what it means to be well. Why do many men avoid getting help and how can we change that? It goes back to that “harden up” culture that I don’t think we’ve let go of. We don’t like being vulnerable because we associate it with weakness. This is a problem that only men can solve for ourselves, and I think it starts with tāne leading by example and making it safe for other tāne to be open about their experiences and support each other. We have a lot to learn from wāhine in how to do this. What simple steps can men take to improve their physical health? Eat better, and make time for exercise. But above all, ask for help! It’s okay to not know how to do everything. What would you say to a man who feels like he has to handle things on his own? You don’t. Chances are there are whānau or friends who will drop anything to help you. Otherwise, there are plenty of services and supports out there – all it takes is a quick Google to find them. How can friends, whānau, or colleagues support men who may not ask for help? Ask how things are going, and then keep asking. It also helps if other tāne are open about the things they’re struggling with – it helps create a space where those men who may not usually ask for help feel safe to do so. What are some practical ways men can take care of their mental well-being day-to-day? Aside from the usual things (exercise, eating well, staying connected with whānau/friends), a personal mantra I’ve adopted is “putting my own oxygen mask on first”. Sometimes, I just need to make sure I’m well before I focus on others. This isn’t about being selfish – it’s about recognising when my hauora is out of balance and prioritising that. My whānau and community are much better served by a version of me that is healthy and happy. So take the time to regularly check in with yourself and be honest about your needs – they matter. If there’s one message for men this week, what would it be? Talk to each other.
THINK Hauora wants to share a brief update following a recent change at Board level. John Peters has recently stepped down from his role as Board Chair due to an unexpected medical incident. We sincerely thank John for his strong and sound leadership and commitment he brought to the Kaupapa of THINK Hauora, and we wish him well during this time. We’re pleased to confirm that Danielle Harris has stepped into the role of Interim Board Chair. Danielle is a familiar and trusted presence, with a strong understanding of THINK Hauora, our people, and the communities we serve. Her calm, practical leadership and deep sector experience provide continuity and stability as we move through this next phase. Danielle will be working closely with the Board and executive team to ensure business continues as usual, while also supporting the Board through the process of confirming our longer‑term chair arrangements.
Tīhema Baker joined our organisation on 28 April in a role designed to embed cultural stewardship and support deeper partnerships with mana whenua and Māori health providers throughout the rohe.
Media release: THINK Hauora
Media Release: THINK Hauora
Media Release - New Health Collaboration Agreement To Boost Regional Innovation 6 September, 2024
Media Release from: THINK Hauora PHO July 5, 2024
Media Release: THINK Hauora
Media release from: THINK Hauora 4 June 2024 THINK Hauora statement: Health Budget 24......
Media Release from: THINK Hauora PHO May 21, 2024 THINK Hauora welcomes Dame Karen Poutasi to MidCentral regional hui…. Together with local alliance partners, GPs and Iwi Māori Partnership Board CEO, THINK Hauora PHO welcomed Dame Karen Poutasi - Te Whatu Ora Board Chair, to a district hui, showcasing partnership and collaboration in the MidCentral rohe last week. THINK Hauora took the opportunity to reinforce the challenges impacting local services including on-going workforce shortages, nursing pay parity and capitation funding. Dame Poutasi was joined by Dr Sarah Clarke, Te Whatu Ora National Clinical Director Primary and Community Care, Dr Anna Skinner, Te Whatu Ora Clinical Chief Advisor Primary Care and General Practice NZ Medical Director, Dr Bryan Betty as part of a national road show to better understand the health landscape across New Zealand. “THINK Hauora’s expanded governance structure with 50/50 iwi Board representation allows us to be more responsive to the needs of our community, underpinned by Pae Ora and a shared vision of connecting communities for wellbeing across the rohe,” said Dr Bruce Stewart - THINK Hauora Board Chair.” Supported by THINK Hauora, alliance partners highlighted examples of integrated care in response to community need: THINK Hauora CEO - Amarjit Maxwell shared highlights of the network wānanga enhancing general practice to support health and wellbeing, bringing over 110 cross sector kaimahi to share and learn together. Iwi Māori Partnership Board (IMPB) CEO Dan Arapere discussed how local health and wellbeing providers and the seven local iwi are working closely to better meet the needs of the community. Local alliance partner Te Tihi o Ruahine Upoko Whakarae, Materoa Mar showcased on-going initiatives to support whānau into home ownership, resulting in better health outcomes. Sarah Fenwick - Group Director of Operations Te Whatu Ora MidCentral, discussed current challenges with patient flow and the programme of work that has been set up enable improvement noting the commitment between Hospital Specialist Services and THINK Hauora. Guests then traveled to Kauri Health Care in central Palmerston-North, to better understand what integrated family health services looks like in a large, agile and sustainable primary care setting. More information : THINK Hauora is a Primary Health Organisation (PHO) that provides primary healthcare services to the North Island’s MidCentral region. This includes the Manawatū, Horowhenua and Tararua localities, Palmerston-North city and Kapiti (Ōtaki). Contact: Amarjit Maxwell CEO THINK Hauora Amarjit.maxwell@thinkhauora.nz
This week is Men's Health Week in New Zealand. To spotlight this important occasion, we've asked our General Manager - Māori Health Equity and Cultural Stewardship, Tīhema Baker, some questions around mental health and wellbeing. What does Men’s Health Week mean to you, and why is it important? This week is a good reminder for our tāne to stop and reflect on their wellbeing. I think we’re getting better at ditching the traditional “harden up” mentality, but we still have a long way to go and our health statistics prove it – we die earlier, our mental health is worse, and we’re far less likely to talk to each other about our issues, let alone to a doctor. What do you think are the biggest health challenges facing men right now? Mental health is a major area of concern for me. I don’t think many tāne look after or even understand their own mental health very well. I’m also particularly concerned about our rangatahi, and some of the content that’s influencing their understanding of what it means to be well. Why do many men avoid getting help and how can we change that? It goes back to that “harden up” culture that I don’t think we’ve let go of. We don’t like being vulnerable because we associate it with weakness. This is a problem that only men can solve for ourselves, and I think it starts with tāne leading by example and making it safe for other tāne to be open about their experiences and support each other. We have a lot to learn from wāhine in how to do this. What simple steps can men take to improve their physical health? Eat better, and make time for exercise. But above all, ask for help! It’s okay to not know how to do everything. What would you say to a man who feels like he has to handle things on his own? You don’t. Chances are there are whānau or friends who will drop anything to help you. Otherwise, there are plenty of services and supports out there – all it takes is a quick Google to find them. How can friends, whānau, or colleagues support men who may not ask for help? Ask how things are going, and then keep asking. It also helps if other tāne are open about the things they’re struggling with – it helps create a space where those men who may not usually ask for help feel safe to do so. What are some practical ways men can take care of their mental well-being day-to-day? Aside from the usual things (exercise, eating well, staying connected with whānau/friends), a personal mantra I’ve adopted is “putting my own oxygen mask on first”. Sometimes, I just need to make sure I’m well before I focus on others. This isn’t about being selfish – it’s about recognising when my hauora is out of balance and prioritising that. My whānau and community are much better served by a version of me that is healthy and happy. So take the time to regularly check in with yourself and be honest about your needs – they matter. If there’s one message for men this week, what would it be? Talk to each other.
THINK Hauora wants to share a brief update following a recent change at Board level. John Peters has recently stepped down from his role as Board Chair due to an unexpected medical incident. We sincerely thank John for his strong and sound leadership and commitment he brought to the Kaupapa of THINK Hauora, and we wish him well during this time. We’re pleased to confirm that Danielle Harris has stepped into the role of Interim Board Chair. Danielle is a familiar and trusted presence, with a strong understanding of THINK Hauora, our people, and the communities we serve. Her calm, practical leadership and deep sector experience provide continuity and stability as we move through this next phase. Danielle will be working closely with the Board and executive team to ensure business continues as usual, while also supporting the Board through the process of confirming our longer‑term chair arrangements.
Tīhema Baker joined our organisation on 28 April in a role designed to embed cultural stewardship and support deeper partnerships with mana whenua and Māori health providers throughout the rohe.
Media release: THINK Hauora
Media Release: THINK Hauora
Media Release - New Health Collaboration Agreement To Boost Regional Innovation 6 September, 2024
