Kimi Rongoa mo nga niho me te whakawhanaunga me nga uri o Ngati Porou kei Otakou

The board chairman and a contingent from the board travelled to Otago to find some short- and long-term solutions for Dentistry. Many Ngāti Porou would know that we’ve been without a dentist for the past four years. This is impacting not only our mokopuna but also many whanau members. It’s important that our board listen to whanau needs and then look for solutions. It was great to meet with Dr Professor John Broughton who has been working in the Otago Dentistry Faculty for 50 years. He has been instrumental in developing partnerships with many Iwi to support them to develop their own ‘Maori Oral Health Service’. We will continue to keep you all up to date with our progress.

Our board also had the opportunity to meet with our Naati’s living in Otago. It was great to hear from them on the things that were on top for them. Reconnection to us is a priority, many of their whanau have been living down there for many years in some cases three generations. A number of them have a want to visit home, for their Tamariki mokopuna to walk on their whenua. We’ve promised to keep communicating even if it’s online, we also gave some suggestions on how to progress some of their ideas with the support of Toitu Ngati Porou.

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