Tanita Bidois, Louise Were, Alex Barnes, Waimiria Eketone, Laurie Porima, Shaun Akroyd
Abstract
In 2024, the rates of fully immunised tamariki Māori (children) in Counties Manukau and Waikato regions were lower than both the national Māori average of 63% and the national target of 95%. Te Niwha, New Zealand’s infectious diseases research platform (previously ESR), contracted [blinded], to better understand how to help lift childhood immunisation rates, specifically in these regions. [Blinded] engaged with local iwi (tribes) and Māori health providers in the Tainui waka (canoe) tribal area through Raakai, a kaupapa Māori research project aiming to better understand immunisation uptake and services for tamariki Māori. A mixed methods approach included literature review, survey (n=1,276), and direct engagement with local whānau (families) and Māori health providers. Hui ā rohe (gatherings) and interviews provided whānau and frontline worker insights into immunisation services. Evaluative methodology supported ongoing learning and evaluative reasoning to develop actionable insights. Raakai shows that generally tamariki Māori immunisation rates in Counties Manukau and Waikato reflect structural inequities rather than individual hesitancy, and that Māori‑led, including marae‑based approaches, offer critical pathways to more mana‑enhancing and adequate immunisation and other health services.
