Culturally responsive support with Hāpai
Our data shows Māori are more likely to experience serious life-changing injuries but are 36 per cent less likely to lodge a claim with ACC compared to non-Māori.
Our legislation requires us to monitor access to the Accident Compensation Scheme in order to deliver services in ways that support equitable access by kiritaki Māori when they are injured.
That’s why we’re providing the option of a more culturally responsive injury recovery support through Hāpai. It seeks to improve health outcomes by providing manaaki (support) to restore mauri (life force) and enhance the mana of kiritaki recovering from serious or more complex injuries, including injuries that cause long-term effects.
On this page
What is Hāpai?
We know Māori are less likely to access ACC entitlements compared to non-Māori, but are more likely to experience a serious injury.
By providing a support option that embraces tikanga Māori (Māori values and practices) we hope to improve the rehabilitation experience of kiritaki with serious and complex injuries to enable better health outcomes.
Te ao Māori principles inform the way our kaihāpai (recovery team members) engage with you and your whānau, to ensure you receive support when you need it, and in ways that work for you.
Where is Hāpai available?
Hāpai will continue to evolve over time, and we will grow our reach across the motu to help more kiritaki get the recovery support they need to deliver better health outcomes.
Kaihāpai are delivering support in the following 16 rohe :
- Whangārei
- Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland
- Kirikiriroa/Hamilton
- Tauranga
- Whakatāne
- Gisborne
- Rotorua
- Heretaunga/Hastings
- Whanganui
- Te Papaioea/Palmerston North
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington
- Māwhera/Greymouth
- Ōtautahi/Christchurch
- Alexandra
- Ōtepoti/Dunedin
- Waihōpai/Invercargill
How can you access Hāpai?
Hāpai is gradually expanding to reach more kiritaki in more rohe. If you’ve experienced a serious or complex injury, talk to your recovery team member today to see if Hāpai is right for you.
Whiria te tangata, ka puta he oranga.
Weaving people together promotes wellbeing.
Contact us
If you want to know more, talk to your recovery team or contact our claims team:
Phone 0800 101 996 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
Email claims@acc.co.nz
Taane’s story: Getting back on his feet with Hāpai
The happy-go-lucky nature of Taane Karena was tested when a serious injury put him in a dark place. But the support of our Hāpai programme, which provides care grounded in Māori values and principles,
Pita’s story: How Hāpai helped him heal
After a challenging recovery from surgery, Pita Pene was in a dark place. But the support from ACC’s Hāpai team changed everything.
Michael's story: From the depths of despair to hitting the w
A back injury put the working life of Michael Dixon (Ngāpuhi) into doubt and he struggled mentally. But our support helped pull him out of that and find a new job he loves.