Last week, the Tāpiri Mai project took the stage at the International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC25) in Lisbon, Portugal. The event gathered global leaders in health innovation and provided a platform to share and learn from integrated care models worldwide.

Kiri Peita, Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO) General Manager: Māori, Population Health & Equity, and Hera Murray, Community Nurse at Te Awanui Hauora on Matakana Island, represented the project. In their session, they shared how Tāpiri Mai was co-designed with the rural communities of Matakana and Mōtītī Islands. The model aims to improve access to care through digital tools, community-led design, and strong local partnerships.

“This was a chance to highlight the exceptional mahi happening within our communities,” said Peita. “It also gave us space to reflect on global innovations and how we can apply them locally to keep improving the equity
and quality of care we offer.”

With the theme ‘Synergising Health and Care: Leveraging Integrated Care for a Sustainable Future’, ICIC25 welcomed a wide range of participants, from policymakers to patients. Organised by the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC), the conference encouraged knowledge-sharing and collaboration among those leading change in health systems around the world.

A Model Shaped by Community

Tāpiri Mai emerged in response to longstanding barriers faced by Matakana and Mōtītī Island residents, which were further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The model blends digital health solutions with in-person care, shaped in partnership with whānau to reflect their needs and aspirations. This collaboration involves Te Awanui Hauora, WBOP PHO, and Ngāti Kahu Hauora in a shared model that highlights the power of collective action.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini –
Success is not the work of an individual, but the work of many.