Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is urging Eastern Bay Maori to get hepatitis checks.

The Associate Health Minister's been in the region to open a conference on viral hepatitis.

Ms Turia says it was like deja-vu being back in the Eastern Bay, considering Kawerau once had the worlds highest number of infected people.

She says that while numbers are on the decline- people should still get checked.

Ms Turia says not all Maori communities have been screened, which is a concern considering the huge prevalence of the infection among Maori.