Conference focuses on key health issues

Quit smoking coaches with Masterton's Whai Ora, Jaqueline Lumsden (left) and Victoria Te Tau, give a presentation titled "Raising awareness about key issues and priorities to Maori Health: Celebration of a smoke-free pregnancy", one of the sessions on the first day of Tu Kaha 2014. Photo / Duncan Brown

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (NKII) are hosting a three-day Maori health conference at the Hawke's Bay Racing Centre, which started on Wednesday with keynote speakers Te Aute College old boy Professor Sir Mason Durie and NKII chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana.

The biennial conference is the biggest of its kind in the central region and is open to all health professionals.

The conference name Tu Kaha means great strength and leadership and has a strong workforce development focus. This year, 60 Year 13 students from across the country who expressed an interest in Maori health were invited to attend.

Its major themes are raising awareness about key issues and priorities and actions that can accelerate improvement.

There are 10 keynote speakers, four workshops, 30 presentations and four cultural programmes.

Among the speakers are Hawke's Bay-based Children's Commissioner Russell Wills and IronMaori founder Heather Skipworth.

Today, Tuhoe activist Tama Iti will present on biking and health.

Council first with marae meeting

The Napier City Council is heading out of the CBD and into the community to meet at Maraenui's Pukemokimoki Marae today.

The full council meeting, which will begin with a powhiri, marks the first time the authority has met outside the council chambers. Napier Mayor Bill Dalton saw the decision to hold the meeting at Napier's urban marae as another step in the council's journey to engage with the public.

It was also a logical step from the council's appointment this year of marae co-ordinator Angela Houkamau, whose focus is on helping the urban marae achieve its business plan objectives during the next three years.