Tuesday 21 May 2024

Expressions of interest have opened for four new regional Consumer Councils, closing on 3 June. The new regional Consumer Councils will be in place 1 July. More information about the role of Councils, qualities sought in members and the application process is available here.

District Councils will transition into regional Councils.

Te Pūkāea will continue to meet as a consumer governance council until the Regional Councils are in place. Te Pūkāea have been an effective voice for our community, and we appreciate their valuable mahi and contribution in many areas. Health NZ Whanganui is committed to ensuring a strong local consumer voice continues to be heard. Plans are in place to continue consumer representation on local committees, projects, and adverse event investigations.

Te Pūkāea is the Te Whatu Ora Whanganui consumer governance oversight group.

The name ‘Te Pūkāea’ was gifted by Kaumātua John Maihi and means ‘trumpet carrying the voice of the people’. It is a small group that meets about once a month to provide advice to WDHB from a patient and whānau view.

Consumer engagement covers:

• individuals receiving direct care
• whānau and carers who support an individual
• groups of consumers and their organisations who often have an advocacy role.

Te Pūkāea’s key purpose is to enhance consumer leadership and engagement and therefore the patient/whānau experience of health services by working collaboratively with WDHB governance and leadership, bringing the consumer voice to the design and function of equitable, effective whānau/patient-centred health services in the Te Whatu Ora Whanganui district.

Te Pūkāea is primarily focused on:

• the achievement and demonstration of equity in health outcomes as set out in He Hāpori Ora and Te Whatu Ora's pro-equity strategic focus
• providing consumer leadership to Te Whatu Ora Whanganui
• supporting safe services, quality improvement and providing advice to encourage and achieve best practice and innovation for Te Whatu Ora Whanganui
• providing a strong, representative and viable voice for the consumers and their whānau on health service planning and delivery.

Throughout its work, Te Pūkāea will recognise and honour Te Whatu Ora Whanganui's obligation to Iwi and Māori in line with the three strategic focus areas outlined in He Hāpori Ora:

• Mana Taurite – Pro-Equity
• Kāwanatanga Hāpori – Social Governance
• Noho ora pai i tōu ake kainga – Healthy at home: every bed matters

It is recognised that a small group of people cannot directly represent the full diversity of the rohe, however the members are expected to be aware of and a voice for all including:

• Māori health
• Pacific health, Asian and other cultures, including recent immigrant health
• Maternal, child and youth health
• Older persons’ health
• Women’s health, Men’s health, Transgender health
• People with Long-term conditions
• Mental health, Alcohol and other drugs
• Disability
• Rural health, primary and community health
• Other high deprivation populations.

The work of Te Pūkāea is underpinned by He Hāpori Ora Thriving Communities and the organisation’s values. Members of Te Pūkāea are expected to uphold the values and be culturally safe in how they work and what they do.

To request the services of Te Pūkāea, please use this form here.