🌿 Honouring the sacredness of the whare tangata (womb)

In te ao Māori, te whare tangata—the womb—is sacred. Protecting it is an act of manaakitanga, of caring for ourselves and our whānau. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet Māori wāhine are more than twice as likely to die from it than non-Māori. That’s why a new, easier way to screen is now available—and it’s making a real difference.

🧪 What’s new? The HPV self-test
Aotearoa has introduced a new cervical screening test that checks for HPV, the virus that causes over 95% of cervical cancers. The best part? You can now do the test yourself, in private, at home or at Western Heights Health Centre.
• No speculum needed: Just a simple vaginal swab.
• Quick and easy: Takes only a few minutes.
• Private and empowering: You choose where and how to do it.
• Accurate: Just as effective as a clinician-taken sample.

🌺 Why this matters for Māori
This new test honors our tino rangatiratanga—our right to choose how we care for our bodies.

Overcoming Whakamā and Fear
Many wāhine delay or avoid screening because of whakamā, past trauma, or discomfort. The HPV self-test was designed to remove those barriers and create a space of manaakitanga:
• It lets you choose time and place
• You control the pace—stop at any moment
• Support is available in te reo Māori or with an interpreter
• Whānau and kaiāwhina can be with you for wairua and aroha

Call us on 07 3470565 to arrange an appointment with the Nurse. They will organise the kit for you to use either in practice or at home.