Delivering Kaupapa Māori Oral Health Care
Māori Oral Health Providers deliver kaupapa Māori oral health services to whānau and communities across Aotearoa. Many are iwi- or marae-mandated organisations with strong local relationships and a deep understanding of the communities they serve.
Their approach reflects kaupapa Māori values, placing whānau wellbeing, cultural connection, and community leadership at the centre of care. Services are often delivered through a mix of fixed clinics, mobile services, and outreach programmes designed to reach whānau where they are.
Together, these providers work toward Waha Tuku Iho - restoring the oral health excellence of our ancestors and supporting the right of Māori to healthy tinana through healthy waha.
Te Rōpū Niho Ora brings these providers together as a national network, supporting shared learning, collaboration, and the development of a strong Māori oral health workforce across Aotearoa.
Kaupapa Māori Oral Health Excellence
Waha Tuku Iho is the kaupapa Māori model of care that guides Māori Oral Health Providers across Aotearoa. It places whānau at the centre of oral health and reflects a commitment to culturally grounded, equitable care.
How Care Is Delivered
Māori Oral Health Providers deliver care to tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, and kaumātua across Aotearoa. Services are provided through a variety of kaupapa Māori settings to ensure accessibility for all communities:
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Fixed Clinics: Dedicated dental facilities located within the community.
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Mobile Units: Travelling clinics that bring oral health services directly to whānau.
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Integrated Care: Services delivered alongside wider hauora providers, such as primary care and whānau support.
Funding and Access Care arrangements vary by region and may be fully funded, part-funded, or privately funded depending on local arrangements.
Our Workforce We support a diverse Māori oral health workforce that provides a whānau-centred, life-course approach to care. This team includes:
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Dentists and Oral Health Therapists.
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Dental Assistants and Kaiāwhina.
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Practice Managers and administrative kaimahi.
Stay Connected
Te Rōpū Niho Ora
Peak body for the Māori Oral Health Provider sector.
Contact
021 263 1385
admin@maorioralhealth.org.nz
Connect
Charitable Trust
Te Rōpū Hauora Māori ā Niho o Aotearoa Incorporated
Charity Registration number CC61640