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Download AudioThe Health Ministry is reconfiguring itself to take into account changes to the health system on July 1.
That’s the day the Māori Health Authority, Health New Zealand, and the new Public Health Agency within the ministry officially kicked off.
A new Ministry for Disabled Peoples and a Mental Health and Wellness Commission are also in the mix.
Deputy director-general for Māori health John Whaanga says the ministry remains the lead agency for policy development, monitoring and responding to Treaty of Waitangi concerns.
But the health services improvement team that commissions and contracts services have already shifted from its directorate to the Māori Health Authority.
“Across the ministry areas that were about commissioning services, contracting services with a national focus, that has all gone to
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand and some of it has gone to the Māori Health Authority – Te Aka Whai Ora as well,” Mr Whaanga says
The ministry will monitor the new agencies, which are responsible for over $20 billion of health spending, to ensure they are delivering what ministers and the public are looking for.
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