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Grant Berghan (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Te Rarawa) has announced his resignation as CEO of the Public Health Association of NZ. (PHANZ)

Grant who joined PHANZ as CEO in October 2020 said it was with regret that he was stepping down, as he had loved working for and  with PHANZ during what had been a particularly busy time in our   health sector.

“Not only have we contended with Covid-19, but we have been part   of the most significant health reform process this country has seen   in the past 30 years,” said Grant whose last day with PHANZ is on  August 26.

 “I realised that, as the health reforms became a reality on July 1st, 2022, the timing is perfect for me to relinquish the role to a new person, who can support the organisation with fresh energy and ideas in this new environment.

“I wish to thank you all for your support to me over the past two years. I particularly want to thank the Executive Council of the PHANZ, and the staff of our national office for their service and commitment to our work despite the challenges.

“Without you there is nothing. I have been threatening to semi-retire for several years now. This is the first step on that journey. I wish you all the very best for the future.

"Mauri ora ki a tatou katoa.”

PHANZ Executive Council co-presidents Gail Duncan and Nari Faiers thanked Grant for his service saying he had “brought vision and connected the PHANZ during the challenging times of Covid-19 lockdowns, and positioning of public health in terms of the Health and Disability Review and representation of Māori interests". 

The co-presidents said Grant's first action as CEO was to embark on a national road trip from Kaitaia to Invercargill to meet face-to-face with PHANZ members across the branches and with graduates of a Māori leadership programme to seek feedback from PHANZ members on how PHANZ could be relevant in a post-Covid environment, and to understand public health issues in each town/city and generate interest and registration with PHANZ. 

"He has ensured ongoing PHANZ office staffing; including policy advisors, project management, communications, and office management and engaged regularly with PHANZ branch chairs. Grant spoke at the World Health Promotion Conference in December 2021 and has co-hosted the CPAG Post Budget Breakfast events, most recently in May 2022," they said.

“He has led and developed an updated membership drive and Te Tiriti-focused communication plan. This year Grant led PHANZ into the new public health-shared service across Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority with expectation of improved outcomes for Māori, Pasifika and disabled people being the prime focus.

We wholeheartedly thank Grant for preparing and motivating the PHA to amplify public health influence across the whole of government and community and exploit the synergy that lies at the intersection of Māori health (hauroa aa iwi) and public health (hauroa aa iwi).”

Te Kōkī refers to the bird song chorus when manu of all kinds gather at dawn to sing and kōrero together.  When they stop singing there is an immediate silence and they flit back to their various places of mahi and habitation until the next kōkī.    

Te Kōkī Hauora is the name given to the gathering of manu hauora to kōrero and meet (online and kānohi ki te kānohi – face to face).  In this context, the network refers specifically to Māori working within mainstream Public Health Units (PHU’s) throughout Aotearoa

Te Kōkī Hauora (Māori Public Health Network) was established in June 2020, from the increasing pressures that Māori workforce within Public Health Units were experiencing. Covid19 exacerbated inequities and institutional failures that already existed within Public Health services. Therefore, there is some urgency to support the Māori workforce to minimise future workforce turnover and to prepare the sector for ongoing and future public health challenges. The roopu focused on their immediate need to;

• Have a safe place to kōrero with other Māori experiencing the same issues

• Providing collegial and cultural support 

• Sharing intelligence from across hapori Māori, and lessons learnt 

• Discussing Public Health issues that required attention whilst dealing with a pandemic

As a response to the challenges of inequities and growing pressures on Māori workforce an opportunity was sought to collaborate with Waikato DHB, Māori Health Equity Directorate and the MOH, Māori Health Directorate to host a Public Health symposium. The aim of the day was to explore effective ways of sharing Māori Covid19 learning and practises to strengthen our public health response. The outcome of this symposium can be found here.  Te Ao Hou Symposium report. 

The roopu continued to hui online and after the completion of a SWOT analysis in June 2021, it was agreed to approach Public Health Association to umbrella the roopu moving forward. TKH sought this support due to the high level of trust and confidence that they had in Grant Berghan and Leah Bain. Since then, PHA have advocated the needs of TKH and have worked with Ministry of Health to acknowledge that even though there has been effort made to build Māori workforce and increase their participation in decision-making and service delivery, more needs to be done to create these conditions for change. 

Te Kōkī Hauora will be hosted by the Public Health Association on the 26 August, in Rotorua at the Hikitia te Wairua waananga. The waananga will be an opportunity to validate the experiences of the past, but most importantly for Te Kōkī Hauora  whānau to reconnect, and establish tools to build resiliency as individuals and roopu hauora. 

In 2016 Adrian Te Patu (Aotea, Kurahaupo) who was then a co-vice president of PHANZ, became the first Indigenous person elected to the Governing Council (GC) of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). A leader in public and Indigenous health Adrian played a key role in the establishment of the Indigenous Working Group of the WFPHA, of which he is now Chair, in 2018.

PHANZ caught up with Adrian recently to reflect on the highlights of his time on the Council, the achievements of the Working Group since its launch, and its plans and goals for the future.

Q: It was six years ago that you were nominated by the Public Health Association of NZ (PHANZ) and then elected as the first Indigenous person to become a member of the Governing Council (GC) of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). We would love to hear about how your journey with the WFPHA began, and what motivated you to join them?

New Zealand was a founding member of the WFPHA in 1967 with a New Zealander being a president in the early years. Our association was invited to re-join the federation and to put forward a candidate and if possible, an Indigenous candidate for a vacancy on the governing council. I was a co-vice president of the PHANZ and one of four Māori on our council. The PHANZ put forward my nomination and as an election was required, sent me to Geneva to attend the general assembly where I was able to speak to the nomination and mihi to the global representatives while representing PHANZ, Te Ao Māori and our nation. The Ministry of Health gave me government delegation status which supported my nomination and allowed me to attend the World Health Assembly (Annual WHO meeting). I was also supported financially by my iwi Te Atihaunui a Paparangi to attend.

Q: Being the first Indigenous person on the GC must have been such an honour for you! Can you recall how you felt when you heard you were elected to this role, and did you feel any added pressure of having to live up to this milestone?

After the results were announced I was immediately humbled with the representatives from China, Japan, USA, Cuba, Australia offering wee gifts of recognition and words of welcome

to New Zealand’s return to the federation. Professor Michael Moore of Australia spoke as president-elect, of his pride in the federation’s milestone of recognising the importance of its first Indigenous GC member. So, I felt very humbled and proud of the recognition given to our association and as one of 370 million Indigenous people globally, and my whanau, iwi of Aotea and Kurahaupo waka.

Q: What are some of your reflections/highlights on your time serving two terms, concurrently, on the Governing Council?

Including and infusing the narrative always with indigeneity, accentuating other with a sociocultural, socio-political, socio-ethnic lens. Having the IWG invited by the WHO and UNICEF to moderate a global dialogue session at the 40th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration in Kazakhstan. We sent two women, a Māori, and an Aboriginal-Ni Vanuatu woman.

Q: How significant was the launch of the Indigenous Working Group of the WFPHA in May 2018? Can you tell us a bit about how the Group was formed, who comprised the Group and what was the impetus behind it?

At the 50th anniversary congress on the WFPHA in Melbourne 2017. A traditional “yarning circle” under the whakaruruhau of the Kulin nation and attended by Indigenous folk plus supportive non-Indigenous colleagues from across the globe gave me the mandate to establish a working group and petition the GC to accept the group formally. It was accepted in November then work began to form and have a formal launch at the next general assembly in six months. The Hon Ken Wyatt, Australian Minister of Indigenous Health gave the IWG a seeding grant that allowed us to have the launch, which was at the University of Geneva, which was attended by global dignitaries, leaders, our MOH senior staff including Dr Ashley Bloomfield who was in his role as DG for three days plus WHO, UNICEF staff. The week we were there we had 11.2 million tweet impressions and 1000 organisations and individuals watched the hui live online.

Q: What are the main aims of the Working Group, and what are some of the main achievements/highlights since it was launched?

Our aims are to provide an international platform for the voice of Indigenous public health supported by local, national, and international associates and organisations.

· Build and implement a 3-year work plan focused on priorities learned from evidence

-based research and face-to-face workshops held at identified international events and other relationship and network resources

· Continue to build a membership base of Indigenous and Associate members. Currently there are members and associate members from New Zealand, Australia, Colombia, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Republic of Congo, and Tunisia.

Q: As Chair now of the IWG what are your goals heading into the future?

We plan to grow the IWG membership. We would like to have a permanent seat similar to the Young Professionals seat on the governing council. Currently, only member nations can

have a seat. The health of Indigenous people (370 million) is not as prominent as it is in developed countries like ours. I see it not as our role but our duty to support indigenous health outcomes from our relative safety. Recently a British journalist and an Indigenous activist were murdered in the Brazilian rain forest.

Q: When we look back at your time at the WFPHA we acknowledge that you and your ‘better half’ Emma Rawson Te Patu, make a pretty good team! You’ve both played key roles in the WFPHA, in the IWG, and with Emma’s recent appointment as the first Indigenous woman vice-president and president-elect to WFPHA you must be so proud! How has this teamwork contributed to both your roles at the WFPHA?

Having served six years on the GC I am very happy to be replaced by someone who is familiar with, and familiar to the GC and staff in Geneva. We do make a good team, but my tenure was focused on creating and giving momentum to an indigenous presence. Her nomination was supported by our Māori caucus and our PHA Executive Council, then voted on by international public health leaders. Already she is achieving our IWG plan by chairing the WFPHA session at the APHA Conference Boston, convening a meeting at the European Public Health Conference Berlin and guest speaking to an international public health course at Oxford University. My role is to continue to lend support as her husband, business partner and colleague.

Senior Policy Advisor - Māori, Chris Webber outlines some Māori development

With Matariki and new year planning done, there’s a sense of urgency to save the world we know as public health emergencies escalate and all hands on deck are required - including Māori. A Māori framework is assisting our head office plans in this regard - evolving and being shared as people are ready. 

Kai Tahi
We have successfully trialed Kai Tahi 2nd Friday lunchtime zoom sessions for building Māori Capacity - this month being our fifth gathering with a focus on Manaakitanga and guest speaker Emma Rawson-Te Patu, President Elect of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (currently Vice President). Below are some links to the recorded  central portions of the sessions  which can be found at our workshops page on PHA.org.nz here. 

• Kai Tahi 1 (11 March 2022) - Reo-tanga and Guest PHANZ CEO Grant Berghan
• Kai Tahi 2 (8 April 2022) - Kaitiaki-tanga and Guest PHANZ Co-president Nari Faiers
• Kai Tahi 3 (13 May 2022) - Ūkaipō- tanga and Guest PHANZ Māori Caucus Chair, Karmin Erueti
• Kai Tahi 4 (10 June 2022) - Rangatira-tanga and Guest Digital Indigenous Director, Tania Hodges
• Kai Tahi 5 (8 July 2022) - Manaaki-tanga and Guest WFPHA President Elect, Emma Rawson-Te Patu

Mahi Tahi
With the need to ramp up efforts, we are moving to next steps in our ara poutama progression in the style of ‘Gather, Mobilise, Lead’. Mahi Tahi (work together as one) seeks to mobilise those who are gathering, by encouraging hands on deck as leaders emerge to drive passion or subject expertise. A monthly zoom check-in including training and support will be trialed 4th Friday lunchtimes (12-1pm) here or zoom 817 9954 3603  passcode 629772 - all welcome. Our Turanga Tukua submission hub website is hosting a Mahi Tahi base and sign-poster to group coordination here. If you want to lead or help with something, check the mahi tahi site for details and help us evolve it. Initial training will include sessions on emergency management, leadership, submission writing, policy and public health 101.

Toa Takitini - Champions Programme
The third initiative in our ara poutama (stairway to excellence) is Toa Takitini - a ‘champions’ development programme. We want to promote Toa (warriors) making a commitment to drive their passion or subject expertise with the support of others (takitini) and open pathways and platforms for the work to forge ahead. A current example is supporting our first indigenous women to lead the World Federation of Public Health Associations, Emma Rawson-Te Patu - who we had a karakia for at our July Kai Tahi to support the journey. We have set a goal to identify and set apart ten champions by December - contact chris@pha.org.nz for more information and check into the Mahi Tahi page to manage details

Congratulations to Dr Ramil Adhikari, Chairman of PHANZ’s Wellington Branch for receiving the Civic Award for cultural affairs at the Upper Hutt Civic Awards and Regional Community Awards ceremony on Thursday (July 28th).

The annual Civic Awards are the highest award for outstanding voluntary service to the community.

Upper Hutt Mayor Wayne Guppy who presented the award to Dr Adhikari said the ceremony provided an opportunity to thank award recipients for their personal leadership, inspiration, sacrifice or devotion to a cause.

Dr Adhikari received a certificate and a medal, and will have his name added to the Civic Awards board on display at the Upper Hutt City Council reception.

Pictured with Dr Adhikari are Gail Duncan, Co-President PHANZ and Rahini Unnyal, 2 DHB lead from Wellington who were on hand to support and congratulate him at the event.

A korero by Rahui Papa, written by Grant Berghan

During the time of the Steering Group led by Sir Mason Durie, a sub-group was appointed to consider and recommend appropriate Maori names for the two entities, Health New Zealand and the Maori Health Authority. The sub-group was comprised of Maori leaders from throughout the country – Moe Milne, Rahui Papa, Selwyn Parata, Rikirangi Gage, and Hana O’Regan. In considering the names, Sir Mason Durie urged the group to anchor their thinking in Te Ao Maori.

After a series of stimulating debates, it was clear that we were united on the stories of Tawhaki, that ancestor who binds all Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand. The challenge would be how to weave together a name for a large organisation like Health New Zealand, with that of a smaller organisation such as the Maori Health Authority. We needed to ensure the names were both distinct and yet complementary. So, we decided to look to the Tawhaki narratives for inspiration. The essence of our thinking was grounded in the wellness of people. Therefore, the names needed to reflect a unity in thinking and purpose and the synergy of effort and resources that is required to support the achievement of wellbeing for all New Zealanders. That is the thinking behind the naming of the two organisations.

So, it was the ancestor Tawhaki who in some of our histories ascended the heavens in search of the baskets of knowledge. After extensive discussion amongst the sub-group, the concept “whatu” was chosen leading to Te Whatu Ora, with its many interpretations including a stone, to show, to observe, to see, and it’s reference to the practice of weaving.’

Te Whatu Ora refers to the weaving together of many plaits to achieve wellness.

Meanwhile, Te Aka Whai Ora is a reference to the method of ascending the twelve heavens to reach the baskets of knowledge. Tawhaki had received instructions from his grandmother to adhere to the main line (the centre) as he climbed the different heavens. He did this and was successful in attaining the three baskets of knowledge. The intimation is that we should stay centred in all that we do if we are to be successful in achieving the wellbeing of all people.

And so it is that the group decided to adhere to the korero of Tawhaki, for his retrieval of the Whatu and his adherence to the main line.

Statement on the health system reform for Asian and ethnic communities 

The speakers, panellists and facilitator of the special session on Asian Health at the 2nd Health Forum on International Collaboration with Asian Countries agreed to make a statement on the health system reform of New Zealand, for Asian and other ethnic minority groups. 

Read the statement here

After last month's budget announcement, the 4th Well-Being budget, PHANZ National Office team members (Alana, Policy Analyst; Lavinia, Communications Advisor; Chris, Policy Advisor - Māori) huddled down to review the budget initiatives and tasked themselves with selecting their top pick and why they are looking forward to seeing investment in this area. 

Alana, a new mum, was keen to investigate what budget initiatives targeted the first 1000 days of a child's life. Research shows that it is critical to invest in the first 1000 days, between a woman’s pregnancy and a child’s 2nd birthday, to ensure every child gets the strongest start to life. Alana was pleased to see investment in Specialist Mental Health and Addiction Services as it included maternal and infant mental health services too. Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in Aotearoa, and wāhine Māori are 3x more likely than Pākehā to die by suicide during pregnancy or within six weeks of birth (see Helen Clark Foundation ‘It Takes a Village’). Although there are many determinants that affect tamariki within their first 1000 days, initiatives that support the mama’s mental health particularly during the fourth trimester were welcome investments.

Lavinia, who is passionate about planetary health and the urgent need to combat the climate crisis, was keen to review the Budget’s investment initiatives to reduce emissions and meet our climate goals. Our health depends on the health of our planet. For Lavinia, Budget2022 showed a commitment by the Government to combat the climate crisis.

Of course, there are criticisms about what could have been done better and what still needs to be done. But let’s focus on the positives, shall we! It was awesome to see the recognition of Indigenous knowledge and the vital role it has to play in the fight against climate change, with $162 million set aside for transitioning whenua Māori entities to lower emission land use, and developing a Māori Climate Action Plan which will include mechanisms to ensure diverse Māori participation in climate policy and climate action. The package also includes $36 million to strengthen mātauranga-based approaches to reducing biological emissions.

Steps are being taken and initiatives have been invested in to cut emissions and slow the pace of global warming, to ensure a healthy planet for our future generations. But it takes a concerted effort by us all, it takes a village, to achieve these goals.

Chris, a Māori public health advocate and journalist looked at the package of measures involving Māori and the wider message we can draw regarding our focus areas. Whilst numerous generic measures announced such as with housing, dental treatment and solo-parenting may have significant application for Māori, our PHANZ 'Advocating Public Health Policy for Māori' checklist was applied revealing quite a number of boxes can be ticked by what Chris calls a smattering of allocations across climate, business and determinants of health for Māori - plus the big health re-set. The key will be how many of these are delivered as part of the current system that often fails Māori or one that is taking heed to open up new ways of approaching things that resonate with Māori and includes checklist items like "is clearly based on a framework concordant with Māori views" or "recognises diverse Māori realities". 

Pre-election, one might recognise Labour spin playing down opportunities for red-neck kick back if Māori are mentioned too often due the high rate of systemic failure it oversees - so they have pitched it about right with various mentions, whilst leaving otherwise obvious pressure points (think Three Waters or justice system) to be covered by general allocations and underlying equity theme. A downside only hearing the 'equity' narrative per article three of Te Tiriti, is we don't hear enough about article two initiative where Māori self-determination can flourish having removed colonial shackles. It is encouraging to see our Pacific cousins acknowledged with allocations for increasing their voice, and capacity in health, education and employment. The energies of all is going to be required to grow our response to the kaupapa ahead - our PHANZ focus at present includes Planetary Health, Determinants of Health, Poverty and Workforce Development. The 'mauri' meter on each of these is bumped up a notch by last month's budget but will require the right kawa or package of actions to make the most of things.

He taiao tōnui mō ngā reanga katoa – a flourishing environment for every generation.  

As the world picks up speed in the fight against climate change, the vital role and contribution ofIndigenous knowledge to help combat the crisis is increasingly being recognised. 

So much so that the recently released Environment Aotearoa 2022 Reporthas changed the way it reports its findings, drawing more on mātauranga Māori and exploring the link between the environment and our health and wellbeing. 

This unique approach, distinctive from other approaches around the world, interweaves different knowledge systems, presenting a richer and more relevant picture of the whole environment and the connections with people.  

More importantly the report builds towards a more sophisticated understanding of how to bring different bodies of knowledge together in future reporting.  

Environment Aotearoa 2022 uses Te Kāhui o Matariki (the Matariki star cluster) to organise the evidence in the report. 

PHANZ Māori Advisor Chis Webber welcomed the report and saidit enabled a Māori lens that values environmental elements through kinship relationships, ‘to be understood and treasured in hearts and minds rather than scientifically divided and conquered as resource for development’.  

‘Western science doesn't see Papatūānuku as an entity to be cared for like our mother, Māori science does,’ he explained. 

Mr Webber said Māori understandings of the world can deepen our collective action to recover life-sustaining mauri or life forces of our planet that are diminishing towards our own demise. 

‘It is encouraging to see indigenous knowledge recognised for the vital role it has to play in the fight against climate change. It is equally encouraging that words alone are backed up by cultural references and infographics with the sincerity and potential to open more engagement with kaupapa Māori in the drive for solutions.  

‘For an environmental status report that doesn't make recommendations, its loudest message is like the traditional pou in the ground inviting others to do likewise or ignore it at their own peril.  

‘PHA members and stakeholders are encouraged to develop reference points like this to magnify and hasten the work while we can. Mā whero, mā pango, ka oti te mahi - leadership and followship together will get the work done,’ added Mr Webber. 

Dr Dan Hikuroa, Senior Lecturer, Te Wānanga o Waipapa, Waipapa Taumata Rau (School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies, University of Auckland) said people were viewed as part of the environment in the report.  

'That approach is consistent with the holistic Māori worldview,' said Dr Hikuroa, who was part of the mātauranga advisory board that helped craft the report. 

“The structure of the report around Te Kahui o Matariki, further reflects that worldview, and I believe is perhaps the first time an environmental report has genuinely woven together mātauranga and science, and the result is exceptional.” 

Secretary for the Environment Vicky Robertson said the report brought together a wide range of information to give us a broad picture of the health of the environment.  

‘Wellbeing is linked to a healthy, functioning environment,’ she said. 

Environmental indicator data underpinning the report comes from local and central government, crown and independent research institutes, industry associations, and in a small number of cases, international sources. 

Forest & Bird Chief Executive, Kevin Hague warned that althoughthe report showed that nature was helping us in many ways, it was clear that much more needed to be done to protect nature so it can continue to support and protect us.  

‘The previous reports [2018-2021] show that all environments – critical to New Zealanders’ wellbeing – are struggling with the impacts of human activity in our warming world. We rely on nature, yet it can only help us cope with the impacts of climate change and benefit our wellbeing if we take decisive action to restore and maintain its healthy state.”  

The report, produced every three years by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ, draws on nearly 50 environmental indicators, including 11 updated specifically for the report.  

Some of the report’s key findings: 

Pressures of land-use change, and intensification, pollution, invasive species, and climate change are having detrimental impacts on the environment. New Zealand’s rare ecosystems and indigenous species are under threat with 94 per cent of reptiles threatened with extinction or at risk of becoming extinct, and nearly three-quarters of terrestrial birds threatened or at risk. 

The area of highly productive land that was unavailable for agriculture increased 54 per cent between 2002 and 2019. Our climate is warming, glaciers are melting, and sea-levels are rising. Air quality in Aotearoa is improving slowly at a majority of measurement sites, but in many places, pollution levels are above the new World Health Organisation (WHO) 2021 guidelines. 

Tēnā koutou katoa

Ko Ruapehu me Taranaki ngā Mounga

Ko Kurahaupo me Aotea ngā Waka

Ko Whanganui me Matanehunehu ngā Awa

Ko Te Atihaunui-a- Pāpārangi me Taranaki ngā Iwi

Ko Ngāti Hau me Ngā Māhanga ngā Hapū

Ko Hiruhārama (Patiarero) me Pūniho, Parihaka ngā Marae

Ko Whetu Marama Erueti rāua ko Doreen Ngawai McLeod ōku matua tūpuna

Ko William Angus Te Warehi Erueti rāua ko Sharon Marlen’e Clark ōku mātua

Ko Karmin Erueti tōku ingoa

Nō reira

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātau katoa

I am looking forward to being a part of the wider team and excited for my new journey within the Public Health Association. I have over 22 years’ experience working within Public & Population Health, Health Promotion, Māori Health and the Community Development sector. During this time, I have had the opportunity to cross over into an array of roles and responsibilities with the added privilege of being a Justice of the Peace and Celebrant since 2015.

Over my personal and professional career my drive and purpose has always been to make a positive contribution to support and empower positive change for Whānau, Hapū and Iwi.

I will always uphold my values, continue to learn and grow and share my knowledge, skills and life experiences to make a difference in people’s lives.

Mā te rongo, ka mōhio

Mā te mōhio, ka mārama

Mā te mārama, ka mātau

Mā te mātau, ka ora

Through Resonance comes Cognisance

Through Cognisance comes Understanding

Through Understanding comes Knowledge

Through Knowledge comes Life and Well-Being