Hato Hone St John leader Mihi Blair advocates for CPR training to close Māori health equity gaps

Hato Hone St John is leading a dedicated effort to address health inequities in cardiac arrest survival rates, focusing on improved outcomes for Māori, Pasifika, and women. Mihi Blair, the Deputy Chief Executive Māori Health and Engagement at Hato Hone St John, highlighted the urgent need for wider community participation in emergency response training to bridge these gaps. Speaking with Dale Husband for Waatea News on Thursday, 29 October 2026, Blair discussed the current disparities that exist within emergency health outcomes. The organisation is actively encouraging more New Zealanders to gain proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Blair’s role as Deputy Chief Executive Māori Health and Engagement involves overseeing how the emergency service provider interacts with Māori communities and ensures that health services are equitable. The push for increased training aims to empower local communities with the skills necessary to intervene effectively during cardiac emergencies, which can significantly increase the chances of survival before professional medical help arrives. The initiative forms part of a broader commitment by Hato Hone St John to ensure that life-saving skills and equipment are accessible to all, particularly groups currently identified as being at higher risk due to systemic health inequities. By fostering a more prepared public, the organisation hopes to see a measurable improvement in survival statistics across Aotearoa.