THINK Hauora: Working towards Health Equity through Connected Communities for Wellbeing Strategy

Within Aotearoa, New Zealand achieving health equity is fundamental to the mission of high performing primary and community care as it aligns with the principles of inclusivity, fairness, and responsiveness to the unique needs of individuals and communities. Within the network of primary health organisations (PHOs) across the New Zealand health system, there is significant contribution to the advancement of health equity, fostering trust, engagement, and sustainability. This workshop will focus on sharing experiences and learnings from THINK Hauora. THINK Hauora PHO plays a crucial role in promoting health equity and its "Connected Communities for Wellbeing Strategy" provides a vision of a values-based network focused on working collaboratively with contracted providers and communities through engagement and codesign. THINK is an acronym for: Technology, Health, Innovation, Networks and Knowledge. It is on these pillars that the strategy sits, and this six-year strategy continues to focus on health care. However, it is set within a wider context, recognising the connections between health and other aspects of people’s lives. The strategy acknowledges the environments in which we live and work, and their significant impacts on the health and wellbeing of individuals and whānau (families). The concept of WEAVING is incorporated in the strategy, and it is both a process and art, which provides a lens to view the strategic direction and intention of ‘Connecting Communities for Wellbeing’. Weaving provides a blueprint for many things including purpose, preparation, foundation, rhythm, connectedness, prosperity and self-determination. This workshop will explore the progress of the strategy including the concept of WEAVING noting that each element brings its own richness, and we will interactively share each with a focus on impact. Whānau (family) is a crucial building block of society and is symbolised by pū, a single harakeke and core root base which holds the rito, flanked by the awhi rito or mātua (parents) which are then surrounded by the tūpuna (grandparents). A cluster of harakeke is a pā. Equitable conditions create the right environments for harakeke to grow and create strong foundations and ongoing sustainable thriving crops. Access to harakeke was so desired that pā were cultivated, named and treasured. Values of suitability, durability, versatility abound in this humble plant to the point that tūpuna questioned how other nations could live without it. Innovative modern designs build on the traditional materials, dyes, patterns and techniques maintained by Kaitiaki (the guardian) and Kairaranga (cultural practices) Networks of mutual benefit are formed by interconnected, interdependent, synergetic relationships between pū and pā (cluster or group). Growth comes from the centre. Each part of the strategy will be explored in terms of fit for purpose and ability to drive transformational change. The strategy draws on a collective impact approach and there are examples of successful outcomes. This workshop will look back to the achievements of THINK Hauora's strategy but will also look to the future as to what is next to continue to focus on health equity. It will be relevant to those supporting population health approaches, both operational and strategic.