Pinnacle’s CEO Justin Butcher and GM Māori and Equity Rāwiri Blundell.
Pinnacle Midlands Health Network has been acknowledged with the highest rating in a Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand cultural audit for its “alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and commitment to improving Māori health outcomes”.
The five-week audit, conducted before Christmas, looked at Pinnacle’s service delivery and how well it meets its obligations to provide culturally safe and equitable care for Māori, said chief executive Justin Butcher.
The audit, documented in the He Ritenga report, gave Pinnacle the top rating of Kua Mutu Pea for its “exceptional integration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles into governance, operations, and service delivery.”
“This recognition reflects the effort and dedication of our team and the strong relationships we have with iwi, hapū, and Māori communities,” said Justin. “Te Tiriti and health equity are at the centre of what we do, so we’re really pleased to see this recognised.”
The report highlighted Pinnacle’s work in areas such as marae-based clinics, equity-focused initiatives, and workforce development, and commended the organisation’s focus on cultural safety and creating meaningful partnerships.
Rāwiri Blundell, general manager Māori and Equity, said Pinnacle had been on a long journey toward biculturalism, embedding these principles across its governance, leadership, and operational teams.
“This mahi has been essential in making sure the services we deliver are authentic and culturally responsive. The report recognised our shared focus on improving health outcomes for Māori while supporting their cultural identity and mana motuhake in health decisions,” he said.
The audit also praised Pinnacle’s flexible funding models and commitment to tailoring services to meet the needs of Māori communities.
“Cultural audits like this one usually happen every three to four years,” said Justin. “Even though there were no recommendations this time, we’ll keep looking for ways to improve. We’re grateful to have strong partnerships with iwi and Māori organisations, and we’ll keep working alongside them to meet the needs of the people we serve.”