June 09, 2022
Clock ticking for Māori health reform
Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare say July 1 will be the dawning of a new era for the health system.
Parliament has passed the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill setting up the Māori Health Authority and Health New Zealand, which will take over the role of district health boards.
Mr Henare says the status quo has failed to deliver an equitable health system for Māori.
He expects it could take time for the new system to bed in.
“We want to give them the best opportunity for success so in some instances we’ve got to give them a bit of time and space to get those settings right but of course we will be applying the pressure to make sure that come July 1, our people will see a noticeable difference, continuing to improve on health outcomes in this country,” Mr Henare says
The Māori Health Authority will be an equal partner at the heart of the new health system, able to co-commission and plan services with Health NZ as well as commission its own kaupapa Māori services and monitor the performance of the health system for Māori.