From Groundwork to Groundbreaking: Te Ipu Karawai Builds on Years of Māori Leadership

Aotearoa is entering a transformative shift in cancer care, driven by values of manaakitanga, kotahitanga, and whakawhanaungatanga.  

At the heart of this shift is Te Ipu Karawai – a powerful online forum launching on 15 May 2025, connecting Cancer Care Navigators (CCNS) with health sector stakeholders across the motu in an aim to strengthen the relationships that hold our health system together.  

Te Ipu Karawai is a core component of Pae Tukutuku, a digital Community of Practice launched by Hei Āhuru Mōwai in December 2024. It provides a space for stakeholders to share, learn, and collaborate, enhancing care and outcomes for whānau living with cancer. 

Gary Thompson, Tumuaki of Hei Āhuru Mōwai, emphasises, “This is more than a platform—it reflects our Māori values.”  

Ipu refers to a vessel used to hold liquids, and karawai is the dye used in traditional weaving, where flax and muka are soaked to receive their colour.  

Together, they symbolise a vessel of transformation and knowledge. Just as dyed fibres are woven into tukutuku panels that tell stories of the people, Te Ipu Karawai represents the collective sharing of resources, experiences, and insights that enrich the wider whāriki of Pae Tukutuku.  

Stakeholders contribute their expertise into this vessel, helping to colour and shape the CCN workforce’s shared journey.  

“Te Ipu Karawai reflects our collective commitment to whakawhanaungatanga – building strong, enduring relationships that centre people and their experiences, " Thompson adds.  

This co-designed space responds to CCNs’ needs for meaningful connections with stakeholders while maintaining their ongoing peer support. It is inclusive, culturally grounded, and future focused. 

"Whānau and communities play a crucial role in holding space during some of life’s most challenging moments,” says Thompson. 

Te Ipu Karawai represents more than just a technical solution; it stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when equity, partnership, and kaupapa Māori principles take the lead. It is a living, evolving space where insights are shared, opportunities are enhanced, and those who are driving change can connect with one another. 

“This is not just about launching a digital community of practice,” Thompson stresses. “It’s about sparking a movement together. 

The future of cancer care in Aotearoa is collaborative and deeply rooted in cultural values, marking a significant next step forward. 

On May 15, a virtual launch event will showcase the platform, highlight the broader Pae Tukutuku ecosystem, and celebrate the years of groundwork laid by navigators, health professionals, and Māori leaders that have brought us to this point.