Hīkoi 4 Health Health Reform in Aotearoa: A People's Inquiry

We are two experienced doctors and poets who, like many other New Zealanders, are angered by the failure of successive governments to care for the taonga of our public health system.

We believe it is time for new ways to think about health and healthcare in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

In what we called the Hīkoi for Health: A People’s Inquiry, we drove 3120 kms around the motu in a refurbished van/ambulance (a ‘vanbulance’ for short) collecting your ideas for improvement. On May 8th on Parliament grounds, we shared some preliminary results from what we've found.

In Phase 4, our final phase we will soon be publishing our findings, along with a documentary film by team member Ōriwa Hakaraia, to encourage debate and stimulate even better ideas. We'll soon be retracing the route of our original hīkoi to deliver free copies of our 'report' and a copy for every MP! See our itinerary below:

Itinerary for our final phase:

Fri., Sept. 18: Kickoff with documentary screening followed by Q&A, The Factory Theatre, 80 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, 7 pm. Click here to register!

Sat., Sept. 19: Peekaboo Cafe, 5 Bank St. Kaitaia, 4 pm

Sun., Sept. 20: The Old Packhouse Cafe, 505 Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri, 12.30 pm Te Hiruhāma Hou marae, Te Tii 5.30 pm

Mon., Sept. 21: Hihiaua Cultural Centre, 56-58 Herekino St, Whangārai, 12.00 pm

Tues., Sept. 22: Te Kōhao Health Clinic, 951 Wairere Dr., Hamilton, 4 pm

Wed., Sept. 23: Knox Presbyterian Church, 83A Domain Dr., Whakatāne, 6 pm

Thurs., Sept. 24: Ōpōtiki District Library, 101 Church St., Ōpōtiki, 12 pm Manawaru Cafe, 675 Childers Rd, Elgin, Gisborne, 6 pm

Fri., Sept. 25: Hastings Library, 201 Eastbourne St. E., Hastings, 1 pm

Sat., Sept. 26: Rest day!!

Sun., Sept. 27: Lockett Gallery, 65A Guyton St., Whanganui, 11 am Te Whare Hononga, Taranaki Cathedral, 39 Vivian St, New Plymouth, 6 pm

Mon., Sept. 28: Palmerston North Library, 4 The Square, Palmerston North, 2 pm Horowhenua Youth Health Service, 102 Liverpool St., Levin, 6 pm

Tues., Sept. 29: Another rest day for the final push!

Wed., Sept. 30: Parliament Grounds, Wellington, 12 pm Documentary Screening, Q&A, The Light House Cuba Cinema, 29 Wigan St., Te Aro, Wellington, 6 pm

Our book is coming soon!

We expect our book back from the printer in early September

We'll then dust off our beloved vanbulance in mid-late September, hit the road again and deliver copies to those generous communities that hosted us in the first stage of the hīkoi!

See above for our itinerary!

Anger into ACTION

Many of us are frustrated and angry at the state of the public health system. Use that energy by joining us in taking action!

Politics OUT OF Healthcare!

Healthcare decisions should be driven by science and data, healthcare professionals and patients, NOT politics!

People gathered in a park with signs, including a prominent yellow sign that reads 'WE WANT TO LIVE'. Individuals are seated on the grass, some in casual clothing and others in medical scrubs, suggesting a protest or public demonstration.

Health Reform NOW!

The health system is broken. Just throwing money at it won't work. It CAN and MUST be redesigned intelligently so that we get the care that we need when we need it!

Health BEGINS in the Community

The journey to health shouldn't start in hospitals, EDs, or even GP offices- it should start where people live, work, play, and worship

Four Pou of our Kaupapa:

Who We Are

We are doctor-poets and we have seen first hand the many ways our current health system fails our patients. For us, this inquiry is personal. This journey is a kind of living poem to which we can all contribute.

We are lobbying for for a redesigned New Zealand health system, free from politically motivated interference, and are inviting all to come out and share their stories and ideas for improvement.

Get Involved!

Phase 1 of our drive for healthcare reform may be over but there are still a few ways you can contribute to the kaupapa. Click below to find out more.

How you can contribute to the kaupapa

PROTEST. REFORM. CARE.

Te Waka Porotēhe.Te Waka Whakaora.Te Waka Manaaki.

As poets, we're always on the lookout for a good metaphor! And we couldn't pass up repurposing an old tradie van into a fanciful "ambulance" as a metaphor for taking something old and turning it into something new and beautiful. For rushing to the rescue of a gravely ill health system. For turning the current health system, which works like an "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff", providing care to Kiwis when they are already sick or injured, and turning it into one that focuses instead on keeping people and communities healthy.