Māori partnership board in health an ‘exciting’ prospect

Published date22 June 2022
The Pae Ora bill comes into force on July 1 and will abolish district health boards with elected members in favour of a new national health agency, Health New Zealand, and a Māori Health Authority

Bayden Barber, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi chairman, said it was an important time for Māori health in Ngāti Kahungunu.

“It’s the first time we’ve had a Māori Health Authority so the opportunities to shape how we fund and how we partner with our Māori health providers and Māori communities is really important yet exciting going forward.”

A Ngāti Kahungunu statement said the health reforms, including the new board, would enhance Māori rangatiratanga for Māori over hauora Māori and ensure greater influence throughout the entire health system.

“This is central to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and will help ensure everyone has the same access to good health outcomes. That includes strengthening mana motuhake for whānau — supporting them to take control of their own health and wellbeing,” the statement said.

Health Minister Andrew Little said the iwi Māori partnership boards would have critical input into local health plans.

He said community health needs under the new system would be addressed through “localities”, smaller geographic areas of which there will eventually be between 60 and 80 across the country.

He said localities would be decided by communities in partnership with iwi over the next two years and would draw together all of the health care providers within that smaller geographic area together.

“The idea is to work out the healthcare needs of this particular population.”

The first nine are being trialled now, among them Wairoa, which has struggled for the last couple of years with...

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