Māori Health Runanga

About our Runanga partnership

The BOPDHB Runanga affirms the BOPDHB's commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi principles, and most importantly recognises that Māori have an important role to play in determining their own aspirations and priorities for health.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board and Runanga have a unique partnership,  the Board acknowledges the important role of Iwi and looks to the Runanga and its 18 mandated Iwi health representatives to provide both strategic direction and connection to the Māori community on issues of importance to Māori. The Runanga is integral to providing a mechanism to enable Māori to contribute to decision-making, participate in the planning and delivery of health and disability services as well as providing an effective forum for consultation and engagement with Whānau, Hapu and Iwi.

The role of the Runanga:

• Provide input and direction to the BOPDHB on all strategic matters affecting health and disability services for Māori at a governance level.
• Provide the principal vehicle for consulting with Whānau, Hapu and Iwi throughout the area, to ensure Māori contribute to decision-making at a governance level and participate in planning, purchasing and provision of services.
• Provide advice on all matters pertaining to the impact of health and disability services for Māori.

Iwi Representation

While individual Iwi representatives are not expected to make decisions on behalf of their constituents, they act as a conduit for information between the Runanga and Iwi. We acknowledge the good working relationship between the Runanga and the Board, facilitated by their respective Chairs.

Multiple Iwi lie within or across BOPDHB's borders including: