The Labour Party's health spokesperson says with Northland's high unemployment and Maori communities caught in a poverty trap, it's no wonder there are serious health inequalities in the region.
Maryan Street has been visiting places such as Kaikohe this week and engaging with Maori health providers in the rohe, about ways to manage low cost health care.
She says the reality is primary heath care is already out reach of low income families, and if the Government doesn't help to create jobs in Northland, more poor and vulnerable families will suffer.
Ms Street says all her discussions centred on jobs, income, and financial well-being, affecting the way impoverished Maori families interact with the health system.
She says Northland's housing difficulties are a real issue, with many families living in dire conditions.
Ms Street says there's no assistance from the Government to generate employment, and help communities out of hardship.
