Kia ora – E te iwi

A Kaupapa Māori approach to Cancer Support, Education and Connection.

Kia ora – E te iwi (K.O.E.T.I) is a Kaupapa Māori education, awareness and engagement programme offered by the Cancer Society. It is designed with and for Māori, to ensure that whānau and communities have the knowledge and support needed to navigate a cancer diagnosis and access the help they deserve.

Launched in 2009, K.O.E.T.I was developed to make the Cancer Society’s flagship Living Well with Cancer programme more accessible and relevant for Māori communities. These wānanga provide a safe, supportive space where whānau can learn more about cancer, its treatment, how to manage side effects, and how to live well with and beyond cancer.

While focused on supporting those affected by cancer and their whānau, K.O.E.T.I also helps to strengthen the cultural competency of health providers who participate alongside.

Extending the Aroha – Welcoming Pasifika Whānau

Although K.O.E.T.I is a Kaupapa Māori programme, we recognise and honour the shared values and strong connections between Māori and Pasifika communities. Whānau from Pacific Island backgrounds are warmly welcomed to participate in K.O.E.T.I wānanga.

We know that Pasifika peoples also face barriers to cancer care and support. The Cancer Society is committed to making its services more culturally relevant, inclusive, and responsive for all communities we serve.

If you are Pasifika and would like to learn more or connect with our services, our team is here to support you.

Our Commitment

The Cancer Society is not a Māori or Pasifika health provider, or a government-funded agent, but we are a partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with responsibilities to support equitable health outcomes for Māori and Pasifika peoples.

Kia ora – E te iwi is delivered in a way that upholds the values of:

Tika, Aroha, Pono, Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, Rangatiratanga, and Kaitiakitanga – and is always guided by tikanga Māori.

Meet Tāwhaki Simons

Our Kaiārahi Hōtaka, Tāwhaki Simons, leads the Kia ora – E te iwi programme in the Nelson Tasman region. Based in our Motueka Office – Kōwhairangi, Tāwhaki is your key point of contact for Kia ora – E te iwi wānanga, community engagement and support services for whānau facing cancer.

Whether you’re living with cancer, supporting a loved one, or a health provider wanting to better connect with Māori or Pasifika whānau – Tāwhaki is here to kōrero, guide and awhi.