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Insurance firm nib New Zealand has announced a successful year for its pioneering Toi Ora programme, which is said to offer the first free universal private health insurance by an iwi group.
In partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, nib delivered the programme that allows enrolled hapū members to receive free comprehensive healthcare – the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Health Insurance Cover. In its first year, it saw 3,000 of the roughly 5,000 hapū members sign up for the service.
“Not only are we giving members peace of mind that they are covered in their time of need, but we are also providing access to culturally-appropriate, co-designed health services that help them achieve better health outcomes,” nib NZ chief executive officer Rob Hennin said. “It’s been great to see this innovative program come to life to help members of the hapū overcome existing barriers to health, wellness, and social care.”
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Meanwhile, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa project manager Anahera Rawiri, who was responsible for the delivery of this project, noted the health and wellbeing of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei individuals and whānau is of the utmost importance.
“At least 33% of our enrolled members have completed ‘Wellness’ assessments, which will provide us with population health data we can use to analyse trends and develop preventative programmes,” Rawiri explained. “This is a milestone investment by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei into the direct health of our whānau.
“We will continue to track the progress of this initiative in the coming years and use this platform to promote discourse about health and wellbeing with our whānau so that we are all utilising this opportunity to further our health prospects,” she added.
