The Memorandum of Understanding between Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae, Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio and West Coast District Health Board was originally signed in 2007, reviewed in 2011 and recently reviewed again with some minor changes being made. We are pleased to announce that the newly revised MOU was signed 31 March by the Poutini Ngāi Tahu chairs and the chair of the WCDHB.
The principles of the MOU that guide the relationship are an acknowledgement of the Treaty of Waitangi and the shared interest of all parties in the development and implementation of policy and legislation in the health sector on behalf of the community.
The commitment is to work together within an environment of trust (whakapono) honesty (pono), respect (whakaute), and generosity (manaakitanga) towards each other that recognises and understands the capabilities and constraints each party brings to the relationship.
All parties acknowledge their role as guardians and stewards for the generations that will follow. It is recognised that each party will have different lines of accountability enabling each party to develop and grow in its own way while recognising and acknowledging difference. The MOU also provides a framework for the parties to work together towards improving Māori health outcomes.
(L to R) Back: Susan Wallace, Lisa Tumahai and Wayne Seeker. Front: Paul Madgwick, Peter Ballantyne (Chair West Coast DHB), Francois Tumahai and Elinor Stratford.