We connect the West Auckland community with local health services so community voices are heard, valued, and reflected in healthcare planning and decision-making.
We work closely with local health and social service providers to connect the services in the west with consumers, share health information with the community and collect feedback to inform service planning.
That work runs in both directions: providers hear what the community actually needs, and the community learns what is available to them.
Waitākere Health Link was established in October 2000 by local residents who wanted stronger community involvement in health planning across West Auckland.
Today, our volunteer executive board brings local knowledge, community connections, and a shared commitment to improving access, understanding, and outcomes in healthcare.
To build effective relationships between communities and healthcare providers through consultation, advocacy, and monitoring.
A healthcare system where community voices are part of everyday decision-making and supported by strong, ongoing dialogue with health providers.
For more than two decades, we have advocated for local health priorities and helped strengthen the relationship between West Auckland communities and health services, including Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. Our advocacy has helped support:
Practical programmes and representation that help West Auckland whānau reach the healthcare they need.
Information and support for new and expecting parents across West Auckland, connecting them with local services from pregnancy through the early years.
Learn about Babies Out WestWe recruit, train and support consumer representatives who bring a community voice to health service planning and governance.
Become a consumer repA community-to-hospital shuttle helping people get to appointments when transport is a barrier to care.
See shuttle detailsOur executive committee includes nine elected community representatives from diverse health sectors and communities, including youth, mental health, disability, Asian, Pacific, and Māori communities. We also work alongside Auckland Council and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora representatives.
“I have been involved with Waitakere Health Link and Health Link North for some years now and been impressed by the growth of both. It is a privilege to work with these people.
Their connections with the wider community are strong and relevant which gives them a great platform to advocate on consumer concerns. With their growth, so have their professionalism, efficiency, and communication skills making them an essential resource for the WDHB.”
Judith Lunny
“Research evidence shows that involving patients and their whānau/family in the co-design of health services leads to improving health outcomes and addressing social inequalities. However, re-orienting our community health services so they include patients’ and their whānau/family’s voices is an on-going challenge.
Waitakere Health Link plays an important role in developing regional capacity to reorient health services, so they become more patient and whānau/family friendly. As a health consumer representative I have certainly benefitted from such affirmation.”
Judy Blakey
We work across the west, from Henderson and Massey through to the Waitākere Ranges and the coastal communities.