ABOUT

Matire Ropiha-Stewart

Taranaki Diabetes Community Co-ordinator | Kaitautoko Mate Huka

Mai ki tōku mama
Ko Te Poho o Rongomaiwahine te marae
Ko Te Hokowhitu o Ngai Tū te hapū
Ko Rongomaiwahine te Iwi

Mai ki tōku papa
Ko Te Rauhina te marae
Ko Ngāti Kahu te hapū
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te Iwi

He mihi ki te maunga a Taranaki.

After my daughter was born, my gestational diabetes progressed to Type 2 diabetes. At that time, I was told this was unusual – however nowadays it has become more common. My lived experience with diabetes and dealing with NZ’s medical model are my guiding lights that navigate me through my two roles – Diabetes Community Co-ordinator for Taranaki and Kaitautoko Mate Huka.

I travel across Taranaki supporting whānau affected with diabetes. I provide basic diabetes education, emotional and psychosocial support as well as linking people with clinicians and kaitautoko that can assist with their health pathway.

I facilitate Diabetes Your Life Your Journey, a programme created in Aotearoa NZ for people newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It helps me break through health literacy barriers to ensure messages are understandable. I also help whānau and friends who support people affected with diabetes.

I am currently completing my training to support whānau to experience the CGM FreeStyle Libre sensor. This includes a free two-week trial.