Mō Mātou
A sheltered haven
Hei Āhuru Mōwai — meaning sheltered haven — was a name gifted to us by Kaumātua Kingi Turner (Ngāti Maniapoto) in 2012.
Who we are
It embodies our mission to provide a safe space for Māori cancer specialists to come together, wānanga, and collectively address Māori cancer inequities.
We are a network of Māori cancer specialists and researchers committed to rangatiratanga in cancer control, eliminating cancer inequities between Māori and non-Māori, and improving cancer outcomes for whānau Māori across Aotearoa.
We come from a variety of backgrounds including oncology, general medicine, public health, onco-surgery, wairua healing, health promotion, bio-medical cancer science, mātauranga Māori cancer research, cancer screening, equity, haematology, pharmacology, advocacy, nursing, epidemiology and Māori health.
We focus on cancer research, system-level cancer issues, and collaborating with Māori leaders across the health sector.
Ngā kōrero o ngā Hemana – the co-chairs’ report, 2025
E hara i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini
success is not the work of one, but of many
As a Board, we look forward to continuing to speak out for whānau, to working with our partners and to shape the Māori cancer landscape. Finally, as a Board we would like to offer a thought to all our members who are on a personal journey with cancer. We look forward to working with you all again in the coming year.
Who we work with
From our Annual Report 2025, in our own words.
Hei Āhuru Mōwai has continued to experience rapid growth in response to increased need across the sector. We have been fortunate to be working together with a number of organisations who support our kaupapa, such as Te Aho o Te Kahu | Cancer Control Agency, Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand, Hauora Māori Partners, Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku | Centre for Cancer Research, Te Rau Ora, Community Waikato, and our numerous cancer organisations, including Te Kāhui Matepukupuku o Aotearoa | Cancer Society NZ, Bowel Cancer NZ, Breast Cancer Foundation and Breast Cancer Cure.
The Trustees warmly acknowledge the many members and supporters who give their time, energy, and expertise to the work of Hei Āhuru Mōwai. We are grateful to our māngai who provide advice, guidance, and thoughtful critique, and to our allies who carry our kaupapa into diverse places and spaces. No mātou te māringanui — we are truly fortunate.
Our national network
As reported for the year ended 30 June 2025.
This financial year has been an exciting time of growth and consolidation.
Key achievements this year included strengthening our operational capability, delivering on milestones in key programme areas and strengthening partnerships across the system.
In June 2025, we completed a ROI to expand our national support services by partnering with seven additional Hauora Māori Partners (HMP) to deliver cancer care coordination services within their community – building on our existing network of 20 HMP.
Rangahau remains at the heart of our kaupapa.
Ā Tātou Kaupapa Whakahirahira
Our highlights
Now in its third year, our Annual Report reflects growing momentum, with a snapshot of engagements and outcomes detailed in our annual performance and financial accounts.
Māngai
- Engagement with Te Aho o Te Kahu – Cancer Control Agency
- 35(2024: not reported)
- Contributed & reviewed reports/strategies for Te Aho o Te Kahu
- 10(2024: 5)
- Engagement with Te Whatu Ora – Hauora Māori Services
- 44(2024: 12)
- Engagement with Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku
- 26(2024: 12)
- Engagement with Health Research Council (HRC)
- 5
- Engagement with Ministers & OIA and Bill submissions
- 2 meetings, 1 OIA, 2 Bill submissions(2024: 3)
- Media commentaries
- 17(2024: 6)
Rangahau
- Cancer Equity research projects
- 6
- New research proposal submission
- 3
Mātauranga
- Presentation/Poster/Speaker at Cancer Conference
- 6
Āhuru
- Cancer leadership hui
- 29(2024: 12)
- World Indigenous Cancer Conference (W.I.C.C) 2026 Planning
- 51 indigenous/cancer leaders involved in governance planning
- Workforce development partnerships
- 3(2024: not reported)
Read more
Vision, mission and values
Tā mātou pae kahurangi, tō mātou whāinga matua, ō mātou uara.
Whāngai Pae Tawhiti
Our strategic goals for 2023 to 2026.
Te Mana Whakahaere
Our board and trustees.
Our leadership
The people leading the kaupapa.
Annual reports
How we account for our mahi each year.
Whakapā Mai
Get in touch with us.