Te Awanui Hauora on Matakana Island is now equipped with a Starlink satellite, offering reliable and faster internet for telehealth appointments. While the island previously had internet access, weak signals or no connection in certain areas often required patients to travel to the hauora for virtual consultations. Thanks to the support of ASB Tauranga and the efforts of Community Nurse Hera Murray, who brings the satellite to patients’ homes and sets up the service, this is now changing.
The arrival of Starlink marks a milestone for the Tāpiri Mai project, a collaboration between Te Awanui Hauora, Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO), and Ngāti Kahu Hauora, with the view to improve access to healthcare on Matakana and Mōtītī Islands. “It’s a huge change,” says project manager Moira Lomas. “Hera has strong relationships with whānau on the island. Bringing this technology into their homes and making the telehealth process easy is a key factor in success.”
Starlink uses satellites to offer high-speed internet access globally, especially in remote areas. ASB Tauranga funded the hardware while ongoing monthly costs will be covered by Te Awanui Hauora. Relationships were key in making this happen for Matakana Island. “I got a call from my colleague Noel, who was on the barge to Matakana with Moira, asking if we had funds from our ASB Community fund,” said Anthony Ririnui, Kaihautū – Te Waka Whaihua, ASB. “It’s not a large fund, however we get to place it locally in the Community, but we have been amazed at the difference it can make.”
Although the handover ceremony happened on 31 July 2024, the equipment had already been shipped and was available on Matakana Island since early July. “Starlink is already making a difference for people,” explained Te Uta Roretana, Chief Operations Officer at Te Awanui Hauora. “Our previous system, which relied on a high-definition tablet and SIM cards, often had unreliable signals.”
Being nurse-led ensures the services are comprehensive. “Having consultations at home removes many barriers to accessing healthcare, and the support we provide helps alleviate the stress of managing technology, which can sometimes be challenging,” shared Hera. “As a nurse, I am also available to take blood samples, offer advice, or perform clinical procedures as needed,” she added.
For Kiri Peita, General Manager Māori, Population Health & Equity at WBOP PHO, initiatives like this are all about providing community choices and improving access. “This is a small investment that significantly impacts people’s lives and health outcomes. People can now choose between virtual or in-person appointments. We’re grateful for partnerships like this that make it possible.” The Tāpiri Mai project is now working on a similar solution for Mōtītī Island.
”Ko te aho tapu te whanaungatanga e hara i te aho noa
– it’s not just about relationships, it’s all about relationships.”
Tāpiri Mai Project
Tāpiri Mai is a comprehensive approach to developing and promoting healthcare solutions, primarily digital, co-designed with the rural island communities of Matakana and Mōtītī Islands. The project began after the COVID-19 pandemic, when the people on the islands faced challenges accessing health services due to limited transport, poor internet and cellular coverage. The ongoing project provided 4G internet access and at the early phase of the project involved dedicated staff from WBOP PHO and Te Whatu Ora Health NZ to collaboratively design and implement distance primary healthcare solutions.
About Starlink
The satellite internet service from SpaceX, available in New Zealand since 2021, offers fast and reliable connection by using satellites that orbit close to the Earth. It reduces delays in communication, making it faster and more efficient.
