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The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill has passed its third reading at Parliament, paving the way for a new deal for hauora Māori.
The Bill will establish Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority on July 1 as permanent entities to replace the fragmented DHB system, establish the public health agency within the Ministry of Health, and strengthen the stewardship role of the Ministry of Health.
Health Minister Andrew Little says it will remove the postcode lottery for health care to put patients and communities at the heart of the health system.
Associate Minister Peeni Henare says Māori want an equitable health system that takes care of them, which the status quo has failed to deliver.
He says the Bill enshrines the Māori Health Authority as an equal partner at the heart of the new system, empowering it to co-commission and plan services across the system in conjunction with Health NZ, commission its own kaupapa Māori services, and monitor the performance of the health system for Māori.
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