How MAS Foundation is supporting health and wellbeing equity in Aotearoa

The MAS Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that exists to create better health and wellbeing outcomes for communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. It was established in 2019 and is funded by profits from MAS' insurance and KiwiSaver business. We spoke to the Heads of MAS Foundation, Dr Julie Wharewera-Mika and Mafi Funaki-Tahifote, about their first three years of progress and achievements. 

Cementing a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

When MAS Foundation was established in 2019, its original mission was relatively broad: to become a funder of health promotion projects in Aotearoa New Zealand. Philanthropic consultant Michelle Wanwimolruk was contracted to help the Foundation refine its direction and recruit trustees, resulting in a board with strong Māori and Pasifika representation and community connections.

When MAS Foundation's Heads – Dr Julie Wharewera-Mika (Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Dutch descent) and Mafi Funaki-Tahifote, who is Tongan – joined the team in early 2021, they worked with the board to further shape the philanthropic organisation into one that's grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

The Foundation's philosophy is that it can have the greatest impact by funding projects, organisations and individuals that work with children and whānau in communities with the largest health and wellbeing inequities. The Foundation is committed to building long-term relationships with communities and supporting them to find their own solutions to the issues they face. Rather than acting as a traditional transactional grantmaker, MAS Foundation takes a proactive values-based approach and works collaboratively with the organisations it is funding. 

Supporting organisations navigating COVID-19

When COVID-19 hit Aotearoa in early 2020, MAS Foundation was just a few months old, but immediately recognised the challenges community and health organisations were facing as they adapted to the new situation. 

Recognising that existing health inequity issues would only be exacerbated by COVID, the Foundation distributed grants of around $350,000 for pandemic-related programmes. This included funding towards Siaola, an organisation that helps the Tongan community connect to health and wellbeing services, and Paerangi, a unique information and referral centre designed for whānau hauā (people with impairments).

Funding ground-breaking projects and partnerships with $2.5m

In the 2021/2022 financial year, MAS Foundation gave more than $2.5m in grants to projects around Aotearoa, a significant increase from $916,000 in the previous financial year. The Foundation also provides non-financial support, such as governance advice, clinical expertise, and introductions. 

Highlights from the broad range of initiatives MAS Foundation supported in the last financial year include:

Te Ohonga Ake, a community-led kaupapa in Wairoa that gives the town's rangatahi a chance to develop their leadership skills and reconnect with their whakapapa. 

Passion Projects, a Toi Matarua rangatahi-led research initiative aimed at providing safe and supportive learning opportunities for rangatahi to engage in rangahau (research), community engagement and meaningful relationship opportunities, and provide leadership skills through tuākana/teina relationships.

Te Aho Tapu Trust, a whānau psychologist provider in South Auckland, to create an evidence-based mindfulness and awareness programme embedding te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori.

Moana Connect, a Pacific-led community, research and learning consultancy, to support systems advocacy for Pacific child wellbeing.

Welcoming new trustees

MAS Foundation has appointed two new trustees to replace its two inaugural trustees who have moved on to different roles. With Sharon Shea appointed as a new board member of Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority) the Foundation is excited to have Associate Professor Dr Matire Harwood join as a new trustee. Matire is a GP and a clinical researcher at the University of Auckland who has expertise in Māori health with a focus on reducing health inequity.

MAS Chair Dr Harley Aish has moved on from his role as MAS Board representative, and been replaced by MAS Board member Brendan O'Donovan.