Cancer programme by Māori, for Māori

Location

Waikato

A twofold approach to promoting cancer awareness took place on 22 and 23 May.

It was the first Kia Ora E Te Iwi programme to be held in a community setting, at the Waitomo Villa, Te Kuiti (Maniapoto iwi). It was also the launch of a Māori cancer book "He Hikoi Hei Manaaki Tāngata".

The Cancer Society of New Zealand has been working collaboratively with Iwi and Māori health providers from around Aotearoa to develop a Kaupapa Māori programme to be delivered to Māori by Māori, The Kia ora E te Iwi is the fruition of this national initiative.

The programme is aimed at providing a safe place for those people experiencing cancer and their whānau to learn more about the disease, to increase knowledge of cancer services, treatment and to help build coping strategies for each person or whānau. It is an educational and support programme facilitated by trained Māori facilitators. The programme can be delivered for two hours a week over six weeks or for two full days.

The aim is to help those with cancer and their whanau to:

• Have confidence to discuss common concerns in a culturally safe setting
• Increase knowledge of cancer and its treatment
• Increase knowledge of oncology services
• Develop the confidence to ask questions
• Build on coping skills - practical, emotional and spiritual
• Learn about support options available
• Plan for the future
• Further workshops are intended to be rolled out across the Waikato DHB sector. 

Also, in recognition of this programme, the launch of the Māori Cancer book He Hikoi Hei Manaaki Tāngata helps to provide additional information to cancer patients as they travel along their cancer pathway. The content of the booklet enables whānau to understand what services are available to support them, but also what they may experience during their cancer journey.  

The booklet was developed and resourced through Te Puna Oranga (Māori Health Service) alongside Midland Cancer Network and funded by the Ministry of Health.  

Please contact Te Puna Oranga (Māori Health Service) 07 8343628 for further information about the programme or how to access a copy of the book He Hikoi Hei Manaaki Tāngata. 

Waikato District Health Board media release, 7 June 2012