Poutiri Trust was initiated by Te Whānau Poutirirangiora ā Papa, a collective of kaumātua and kuia representing Iwi in the Bay of Plenty.  Te Whānau Poutirirangiora ā Papa were passionate advocates for accountability in the Treaty relationship in health and for the equitable treatment of Māori, with the aim of improving the health status of Māori across the region.  

Poutiri Trust was established in 1997 to umbrella and strengthen the Māori hauora providers in the region.  Today, Poutiri Trust  is a Māori Development Organisation, and has a network of 18 hauora providers throughout the Bay of Plenty -  from Te Teko, Whakatane, Opotiki, Taneatua, Waimana, and Murupara in the East, Rotorua and Reporoa in the South through to Te Puke, Tauranga-moana and Matakana Island in the West.