BACKGROUND

Iwi Leaders from the five Iwi Entities in Muriwhenua contributed to the redesign of Māori  Suicide Prevention Services in Muriwhenua (2023).  Included in this Iwi centred matauranga were interests to establish a Muriwhenua Suicide Prevention Strategy or Action plan that would be supported by Mana Motuhake and a Muriwhenua Governing group of Iwi leaders. 

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The aspirations from the Iwi Leaders was for a Suicide Prevention Service specific to Muriwhenua that would be comprehensive with aspects of prevention, awareness, education, intervention and postvention, with community and government action towards suicide prevention.

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PURPOSE 

The Muriwhenua Iwi Leadership Group will be formed to provide a credible and visible voice for Māori in Suicide Prevention for Muriwhenua. It will act as a Governance group to provide strategic advice and guidance to Te Hiku Hauora for the Kia Piki te Ora : Māori  Suicide Prevention Programme.  In addition to providing strategic guidance that will push for solutions to the issues that impact the wellbeing of whānau , hapu and Iwi.

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The members in the Iwi Leadership Group are selected by the five Iwi in Muriwhenua of Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupouri, Ngāi Takoto, Te Rarawa and Ngāti Kahu.  They will be recognised for, or have a level of experience or interest relating to suicide, suicide prevention, suicide postvention and the improvement of wellbeing of whānau , hapu and Iwi o Muriwhenua. 

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As a collective, the  Muriwhenua Iwi Leadership Rōpū will:

• Ensure that a te ao Māori lens is interwoven into Kia Piki te Ora and associated mahi and actions. 

• Have the skills, interest and expertise to offer strategic iwi advice on the design and implementation of suicide prevention initiatives that impact on whānau, hapū, iwi and hāpori Māori.

• Be a representative voice for Iwi.

• Leverage relationships with relevant kaupapa Māori networks and/or organisations and connect across domains
   

As an individual the Muriwhenua Iwi Leadership  Rōpū will:

• Be of Māori descent.

• Be recognised as an Iwi leader with mana who are grounded in Te Ao Māori 

• Be able to work collaboratively with committee members and key stakeholders in ways that are mana enhancing for everyone.

• Be able to advocate strategically for systems and policy changes that are to the benefit of Muriwhenua whānau, hapū, iwi and hāpori. 

 

Overall attributes in the Muriwhenua Leadership Rōpū will include: 

• Muriwhenua  Iwi centric views

• Knowledge of te reo, purakau, matauranga, waiata of Muriwhenua 

• A style of governance that suits the Rōpū     

• An appetite to build the capacity and leadership of Māori whānau, hapū, iwi, and communities to prevent suicide.