Review of services for people living with HIV in New Zealand

Inquiry3. How is the service regulated internally:Is there a Board or similar oversightmechanism?Composition and how they areappointedInvolvement of PLHAFrequency and regularity of meetingsReported (and unreported) meetingoutcomes4. Is the service structurally equipped to meetthe expressed needs of people who are HIVpositive:Are there sufficient trained andexperienced staff?What do they do – what services areoffered?How have they been trained / what aretheir qualifications?Is it conveniently located for serviceusers and available at appropriatetimes?Is the service culturally appropriate andaccessible?How is this determined?5. By what criteria are needs of people withHIV prioritised?How are these needs determined?How frequently are the needs reviewed?How is this done?ResponseINA has a board of trustees/Rūnanga Whakahaere (eight members – noless than three, no more than 10), three Takatāpui/MSM, three PLWHA,five Māori, two Pacific Island, two non‐Māori, one kaumātua. They arenominated and voted on to the board with criteria for skills specific toHIV and tikanga. Two meetings per year. With Skype andteleconferencing in between for anything that arises. Meetings areminuted and distributed to members with outcomes within theKaiwhakahaere monthly report.Currently we have one staff member and 19 volunteers. TheKaiwhakahaere is experienced in NGO management, fundingapplications, education, development, administration, support andadvocacy. She currently provides all the services for INA, over andabove normal working hours. She has a National Certificate Reo Māorilevel 4, BML Administration, Adv Dip Business Systems, BML Māori lawsand philosophy. She is also HIV positive for the last 17 years, a memberand ex board member of Positive Women, and currently works with theInternational Indigenous Working Group on HIV and AIDS, supported bythe Health Canada’s International Affairs Directorate (Public HealthAgency of Canada) and the Joint United Nations programme onHIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)The service is centralised in the South Waikato, close to Auckland,Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo, Taranaki. Isavailable for drop ins, and able to travel to people in the region.As a Māori service it operates within the auspices of Tikanga Māori.Acknowledging Te Tiriti, and principles derived from a Māori worldview.INA’s services are determined by whakapapa and are inclusive of allMāori regardless of sexuality or gender. This innovation addresses thesystemic changes that are needed to re‐orientate and initiate a Māoriresponse to HIV/AIDS.Both the care and prevention categories within the sector lack anywhānau ora approach. There is no inclusion within the care category ofcomplete mental health care, whānau/hapū support and/or education,or spiritual and/or rongoa Māori practices. There are no culturallyapproved or appropriate prevention messages for whānau, hapū or iwi.With complete a lack of emphasis on Rangatiratanga and the protectionof whakapapa.This innovation supports a change of inclusion of whānau ora, throughthe integration of culturally appropriate services for care andprevention. The holistic methodology of including whānau, hapū andiwi in the design and implementation of prevention messagesenhancing Rangatiratanga and encouraging the protection ofwhakapapa. With the reintegration of including whānau ora in the careof Māori living with HIV, This innovation encourages whānau, hapū andiwi within their own rohe to become active protectors of whakapapa.66 REVIEW OF SERVICES FOR PLHA