25 November 2025
In a move to strengthen whānau-centred care across Te Tai Tokerau, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ngāti Hine Health Trust, the region’s largest hauora provider.
“Both organisations share an important commitment – to nurture healthy pēpi and tamariki and support whānau in Te Tai Tokerau,’’ Whānau Āwhina Plunket Chief Executive Fiona Kingsford says.
“Ngāti Hine Health Trust has been a leader in hauroa service delivery for more than 30 years and has deep connections in the communities of Te Tai Tokerau – their highly effective hands-on response to the current measles outbreak, is just one example of this. We look forward to continuing to work alongside and learning from their mahi to achieve better outcomes for whānau than we could alone.’’
Chief Executive Officer of Ngāti Hine Health Trust, Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti (Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Kahu) also welcomed the signing.
“This MoU reflects our shared vision for mokopuna-centred care and the importance of working in partnership to uplift whānau wellbeing in Te Tai Tokerau. We’re proud to formalise our relationship with Plunket and look forward to deepening our mahi together in ways that honour tino rangatiratanga and support thriving futures for our tamariki,” he says.
The MoU is effective from 1 December 2025, and is grounded in equity, tino rangatiratanga and mokopuna futures.
(L-R): Tasha Wharerau, Kaiarahi Kahu Taurima at Ngāti Hine Health Trust; Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti, CEO at Ngāti Hine Health Trust; Fiona Kingsford, Plunket CEO and Denise Shera, Plunket’s GM Service Delivery, at the signing in Wellington.
Read more about Ngāti Hine’s response to the measles outbreak: Health authorities ramp up response to measles in Northland and Queenstown | RNZ News
Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti joined the Royal New Zealand Plunket Board as one of two new trustees in August this year. Read more here: New Trustees for Plunket Board
About Ngāti Hine Health Trust
Ngāti Hine Health Trust (NHHT) is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest kaupapa Māori health and social service providers, delivering integrated care and support services across Te Tai Tokerau. Established in 1992, NHHT has grown from its roots in the Motatau Marae Kōmiti to become a regional leader in holistic wellbeing. The Trust offers a broad range of services including primary health care, mental health and addictions support, disability services, housing, education, justice, and kaiwhiriwhiri initiatives.
Guided by the principle "Me ū ki te Tū o Ngāti Hine, ko te oranga te take" (Hold fast to the values and tikanga of Ngāti Hine, for wellbeing is the purpose), NHHT is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of whānau, hapū, and hāpori.