August 2024

Moving from the mighty south of Canterbury in Te Wai Pounamu, Health Hawke’s Bay’s Pou Whakarae | Chief Executive Officer Irihāpeti Mahuika (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māhaki ki Te Tai Poutini, Ngāti Apa ki te rā tō) has taken the role by storm, and is enjoying her role in the East Coast of Te Ika a Maui. Joining the Public Health Organisation (PHO) on October 30, 2023, she has spent the past eight months establishing where the organisation is, building strong relationships with practices, providers and the community, and where the organisation is heading in the next 12 months.

“The first eight months have flown by and I am thoroughly enjoying the role. Primary health is a key care network for our communities and I want to support us to offer the best care possible. We know our PHO, practices and providers are facing a plethora of challenges, including funding, workforce and increase in patients and complexity of patients” she said.

Most recently, Health Hawke’s Bay approved the Annual Plan for 2024-25.

“This allows us to identify what our vision, purpose, values, and goals are for the next 12 months, and help direct our mahi and efforts during this time.

“Our strategy at Health Hawke’s Bay is to ensure our four pou of Ka Hikitia are what drive our mahi. That is to ensure our providers are well-equipped to serve Māori; have accessible services where and when Māori need them; ensure high quality care is provided to Māori; and have resources available for Māori to manage their health and wellbeing.”

A key value for the organisation is Kotahitanga | Collaboration. Irihāpeti has travelled around our rohe and Aotearoa whenua, networking with Hawke’s Bay health providers, practices and PHOs to share Health Hawke’s Bay’s successes and identify how the organisation can support practices to support their enrolled population, their kaimahi and remain sustainable.

“It has been a pleasure walking through the doors of our providers and meeting kanohi ki te kanohi with hard-working kaimahi who are having to navigate through a lot of change.

“Our Hawke’s Bay whānau need good access to health care and it is important we utilise the staffing and resources Health Hawke’s Bay has available to tautoko our providers. I’ve met with THINK Hauora, Tū Ora Compass Health and Whanganui Regional Health Network as we align our strengths together to support and share resources.

Health Hawke’s Bay is the sole PHO in the region with an enrolled population of over 170,000 patients.

The Health Hawke’s Bay Board, CEO and team are passionate about improving health outcomes and wellbeing of our communities, with a particular focus on Māori health.