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About Us

Healthcare Aotearoa (HCA) is a national network of community-driven and governed primary health care services committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership model. We have 73 members. They include Maori, Pacific, union, community health and youth services.

HCA members are committed to addressing inequalities in health status that exist within Aotearoa. They provide quality primary healthcare and innovative programmes for those hardest to reach.

Our membership is spread from Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) to Otautahi (Christchurch). Collectively, they provide quality primary health care services for over 150,000 people – most of whom are Maori and Pacific peoples, refugees and low-income families, many with high health needs. These people continue to miss out on the benefits of accessible health care.

Our members see health in its broadest sense. This means taking an holistic approach to primary health care. We view housing, income and employment as integral parts of a person’s overall well-being.

HCA

  • acts as a collective voice for our members;
  • negotiates contract agreements so members can provide leading edge services;
  • gives members the opportunity to share their models of work and pool their practical expertise through national, regional and local hui, fono, workshops and teleconferences.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and HCA

Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the whariki upon which true partnership for health is developed. This implies full participation by both Te Tiriti o Waitangi parties – Maori and Tauiwi - in the organisation and operation of HCA.

Our formal constitutional commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi is reflected in:

  • the annual election by members of our executive committee, at least half of whom must be Maori;
  • our use of treaty-based caucuses (Maori and Tauiwi) and consensus decision-making;
  • a kaumatua kaunihera (group of elders) who guide HCA in its tikanga (processes and protocol);
  • our annual national hui held on marae;
  • a te kaihautu who co-directs HCA with another national coordinator.

Advocacy

HCA promotes the not-for-profit sector in primary healthcare and advocates for increased health services for communities that are hardest to reach.

We build links with policy-makers, politicians, sector and community leaders so that our members’ voices are heard when pivotal decisions are made in all areas that affect the health and well-being of those we care for.

We believe more must be done to address inequalities and remove disparities in health care. We support a population-based funding formula, using evidence-based indicators of need. These indicators must take into account age, gender, ethnicity and deprivation to acknowledge the increased needs of communities who currently miss out on services. It is essential that patients are able to see an appropriate health professional as soon as they have a health issue.

We support a multidisciplinary team-based approach which includes nurse-led outreach clinics, community health worker-led health promotion programmes and empowerment of patients in their own healthcare.

Find out about:

  • Te Wana, our quality programme for groups including iwi services, Pacifika, youth, primary health, mental health, community social services, and national lobbying organisations.
  • Enhanced Management Service , our programme supporting PHO management.
  • Our other work with PHOs.

Kia ora koutou katoa