Lakes DHB boss to meet with iwi over axing of Hunga Manaaki service at Rotorua Hospital

Rotorua Hospital's maori support service Hunga Manaaki is ended by the Rotorua Lakes District Health Board after the end of their contract with service provider Te Kahui Hauora

Lakes District Health Board's chief executive is to meet with iwi after admitting the axing of a Maori support service should have been handled better.

Ngati Whakaue held a hui on Sunday to voice its "utter disappointment" about the disbanding of Hunga Manaaki - a Maori support service at Rotorua Hospital.

Five resolutions were agreed on by iwi members, including the need for an "immediate national-level apology for the way Hunga Manaaki have been treated" and the development of an iwi governance structure within Lakes District Health Board that was "truly representative of iwi and reflects the historic relationship between Rotorua Hospital and Ngati Whakaue".

The five staff who made up the Hunga Manaaki team were asked to leave last Friday, despite the contract end date being June 30.

In a written statement to the Rotorua Daily Post, Lakes District Health Board communications officer Sue Wilkie said chief executive Ron Dunham was arranging a time to speak with the iwi about the issue.

"The contract end date for the Hunga Manaaki service is June 30, 2017. This date will be honoured by Lakes District Health Board. While staff were asked to leave the site earlier than the official contract end date, payment for services will continue to the contract end date.

"Lakes District Health Board acknowledges that in respect of the contract ending last Friday, we should have done things better than was the case.

"Until that meeting has been held, Lakes District Health Board does not wish to make further comment."

Ngati Whakaue kaumatua Wiremu Keepa said he was grateful to Mr Dunham for reaching out and "heard the sincerity in his apology".

"We can't turn the clock back but the meeting he is arranging is a step in the right direction.

"You could tell at the hui that a lot of our people were hurting but now it is about our journey forward."

Ngati Whakaue is planning a march outside Rotorua Hospital on Wednesday to raise awareness in support of the five members of the Hunga Manaaki team.