Āti Awa Toa IMPB releases 2024-2025 Annual Report: Whānau-led change and major data innovations
The Āti Awa Toa Hauora Partnership Board has released its 2024–2025 Annual Report, highlighting improvements across access, immunisation, early-years support, cultural safety, and the use of local data to drive better decision-making in the region.
Manahautū Hikitia Ropata says the results show both progress and urgency:
“We are beginning to see real movement in areas where there has been sustained effort – from rising immunisation rates to notable increases in cervical screening rates for Māori. These gains show what’s possible when focus and partnership align.”
Across the year, whānau shared clear priorities: timely access to care, affordability, cultural safety, and joined-up services close to home.
Māori pēpi immunisation increased sharply from 66% to 81%, while cervical screening for Māori rose from 56% to 71%.
“There is still a long way to go. Whānau continue to face long stays in ED, unacceptable wait times for first specialist appointments and elective surgery, cost barriers and long waits for primary and oral health care and inconsistent cultural safety. These are system issues, and they require system change.”
This year also marked the launch of two major tools:
- Whaitua – a geo-mapping tool that makes local data visible to whānau and oranga providers
- Monitoring for Oranga – a tikanga-bound framework redefining Māori wellbeing measures
“Whaitua has changed the landscape – it returns knowledge to the people it belongs to,” says Ropata.
“Developed with support from Te Tāhū Hauora, the Social Investment Agency and IMPBs across Aotearoa, the Whaitua geo-mapping tool is the first of its kind in Aotearoa.”
Ropata says the Board remains focused on its statutory role while closely monitoring proposed legislative changes.
“Any changes to the Pae Ora framework must strengthen, not weaken, Māori participation in health decision-making. Our communities expect solutions informed by evidence, including lived experience, and iwi leadership. Whānau outcomes can only improve when Māori are active partners in shaping systemic solutions that affect our lives.”
Ropata paid tribute to the mana whenua iwi of the region.
Tuatahi, tae atu ki ngā kaimahi – ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou i tō koutou kaha, i tā koutou tau toko i ēnei tau. Te Poari, Te Tai Toru ki Kāpiti, ki Parirua, tae atu ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Tai Toru: he hono tahi i ngā whānau, i ngā hapū, i ngā iwi me ngā hapori katoa.
“Our kaumatua Taku Parai reminded us this year that the three tides that flow onto each iwi’s shore – even at different tidal times – remain forever connected. They remind us of our shared whakapapa, our collective commitments and responsibilities, both great and small. These tides will never cease to echo the dreams and aspirations of our tūpuna: to strive, to seek, and to uphold Tino Rangatiratanga.”
Looking ahead to Matariki 2026, the Board will focus on expanding kaupapa-led care in every whaitua, strengthening workforce capability, and ensuring equitable investment informed by whānau experience and local data.
The full report is available at: www.atiawatoaimpb.nz