Northland Māori health provider launches diabetes clinic amid soaring rates

Published by: The Northern Advocate

Publication date: 10 June, 2025 05:00 AM

Written by: Denise Piper, Multimedia Journalist

Northland Māori health provider Ngāti Hine Health Trust is taking urgent action to help tackle a diabetes crisis, after witnessing diabetes rates much higher than the national average.

About 64% of the 4200 patients enrolled in the trust’s Kawakawa clinic have diabetes, said chief executive Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti, who himself has diabetes.

Across the trust’s clinics - including in Moerewa and Whangārei - the diabetes rate is nearly three times the national average.

As well as having a higher rate of diabetes, Māori and Pasifika are disproportionately affected by the disease, including needing diabetes-related amputations a decade earlier than other groups, according to a 2024 study from the northern region.

It is clear standard practices are not working, Shepherd-Wipiiti said.

“We have to take urgent action ... We have to do something more.”

The trust has partnered with Diabetes New Zealand and will set up a specific diabetes clinic with specialist nurses before the end of the year, he said.

It has also employed a podiatrist to ensure good foot care is available and a fulltime nutritionist to advise people on what to eat.

On top of this, the trust is taking action to help prevent the wider population from developing diabetes, Shepherd-Wipiiti said.

Thousands of vegetable seedlings are being grown and will be transplanted to community gardens in spring, alongside educating people to grow their own vegetables.

Physical activity will also be taking the spotlight, thanks to a partnership with Athletics New Zealand, which will be running an eight-week programme in Moerewa, he said.

The programme will culminate with the “Moerewa Olympics”, including local schools taking part in the competition, Shepherd-Wipiiti said.

“It’s the first time athletics has come back to Simson Park in Moerewa in 20 years.”

Young people who are really keen on athletics will be supported to go to NorthTec and train to be a coach, he said.