LINDSAY MITCHELL: Is 'by Maori for Maori' shifting the dial?

On June 18, 2025, Health New Zealand published extensive data (March 2025 quarter) in a two-page spread contained in The Post. I assume this was replicated in other New Zealand newspapers. Included were childhood immunisation rates.

At the bottom of the table for full immunisation at 24 months are Northland and Tairawhiti districts (improving trend) followed by Bay of Plenty and Waikato (worsening trend). These regions all have high Maori populations.

Next, 38 Primary Healthcare Organisations are listed and their rates of full immunisation at 24 months provided. Again, here are the bottom four:

Hauraki PHO (Waikato) 58%

Nga Mataapuna Oranga Ltd (Bay of Plenty) 55.6%

Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance (Bay of Plenty) 52.5%

Ngati Porou Hauora Charitable Trust (Tairawhiti) 38.5%

Very young children have routinely been immunised against measles since the 1970s, more latterly as part of the MMR vaccination. But measles is on the rise again and there’s considerable concern about an outbreak in this country due to pockets of very low vaccination coverage. Right now, Texas is experiencing an outbreak and there are direct flights between Houston and Dallas, and Auckland (a gateway to anywhere in NZ).

Two years ago, describing the coverage then as “dangerously low,” a Maori collective was formed to specifically focus on improving tamariki immunisation rates.

A press release from May 10, 2025, said:

The Collective states that,

‘By engaging whanau with a kaimanaaki-led service of, “by Māori for Māori”, the barriers can be overcome with:

- Consistent service and trusted relationships (genuine, familiar, relatable, culturally appropriate, and high quality)

- Mātauranga Māori, a mana-enhancing approach alongside Western knowledge systems

- Information without judgment or coercion

- Shared values and connections that support vaccination and engagement with healthcare.

The Maori partners forming the collective are "Ora Toa, Ngā Mataapuna Oranga, Hauraki PHO, and Ngāti Porou Hauora". With the exception of Ora Toa (Wellington) the others all fall in the bottom four PHOs for full immunisation by 24 months.

Despite best intentions, the "by Maori for Maori" Matauranga Maori approach is not shifting the dial. In Bay of Plenty and Waikato the coverage is worsening.

Maybe in time it will?

But with the threat of a measles outbreak imminent, time is probably a luxury Maori cannot afford. While the expected fatality rate in developed nations is only around 1 in 1,000 there is a serious risk of hospitalisation and long-lasting complications. It is also entirely possible that the fatality rate would be higher in low income, isolated communities.

Lindsay Mitchell blogs here