Rural Māori Health, Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora A Eru Pōmare

About us

There is evidence of differential health outcomes between rural and urban populations. Approximately 22% of the New Zealand population live in diverse rural locations and there are considerable challenges in accessing consistent and comprehensive health care for these communities.

Māori have the right to good health and healthy conditions. As Māori are more likely to reside in rural areas, and also make up a larger proportion of the more deprived population living rurally, fulfilling the right to health for rural Māori is vitally important. Statistical information on the health of rural Māori can provide baseline information, reveal areas of need and inequity, and serve as a useful source of data to support the aim of the health and disability sector to improve the health of Māori and reduce inequalities.

The Ministry of Health has contracted Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare to produce a statistical report that provides a snapshot of the health of Māori and non-Māori living in rural areas compared with Māori and non-Māori living in urban areas. The report includes a range of indicators including demographics, socioeconomic determinants of health, risk and protective factors, health status indicators, health service utilisation, and health system indicators.

Funder

Te Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health)

Publications

Mātātuhi Tuawhenua: Health of Rural Māori 2012

Report on Rural Hospitalisations - Mātātuhi Tuawhenua: Rural Hospitalisations 2007-2011

Our people

Research team: Shirley Simmonds, Gordon Purdie, Bridget Robson.