Mana enhancing methods to empower cancer screening programmes for Māori

Mana enhancing methods to empower cancer screening programmes for Māori

Nadine Riwai (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Te Uri o Hau, Ngāi Takoto, Inia)

University of Auckland

Māori Cancer Researcher Awards – PhD Scholarship

Our understanding of the reasons behind the inequitable reach of cancer screening programmes to Māori is complex, but it does not need to be that way. Factors such as Māori preferences, values, beliefs, knowledge of culturally unsafe programme delivery, fear, cost, health literacy, and rurality all contribute to the reluctance of our whanau to engage. The current system does not adequately address these factors.  We can change this by creating systems centred around what Māori want, partnering with whānau to genuinely understand what speaks to them and how cancer screening can become an intergenerational korero within their whānau about their hauora.  In turn, this will support the workforce across the motu and the communities they serve to be on the same waka in having true guidance from Māori, not what the health system directs.  Kaupapa Māori-driven research focuses on building whānau, hapu, iwi and community strengths.  We need mana enhancing, empowering by Māori for Māori solutions that change and enhance our lived realities. Re-orientation is needed to put whānau Māori at the centre to improve equity and outcomes. National cancer screening programmes aim to develop policies for the well-being of people and communities. However, they are often pressured and incentivised to pursue what they perceive as the best option for the majority, which marginalises the overall benefit to Māori.  If you get it right for Māori, you get it right for everybody. 

Pictured above from left to right: Dr Kasey Tawhara, Dr Te Ururoa Flavell, Hera Te Kurapa, Nadine Riwai, Professor Sandy Morrison, Elaine Kameta, Tiria Waitai, Eruera Keepa from Smear Your Mea.