February 27, 2024
Devolution plan for Māori health budget
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says money being spent in the Māori Health Authority will be better spent out in the community, including by iwi and Māori health organisations.
The Government will table legislation today to disestablish Te Aka Whai Ora.
He says while some post-settlement iwi have invested in health, they’re under no obligation to do so, and iwi should expect future funding to come direct from government.
“Many iwi have done a phenomenal job – if you look at the work of Ngāti Whatua (Orakei) doing a deal with (health insurer) nib to get better outcomes fo their iw, that is just fantastic, it is genius and brilliant and we should be very proud about it but what I’m talking about if government money getting out of Wellington, getting out to devolved and localised organisations, many of them iwi organisations that are then tasked to get an outcome for us,” Mr Luxon says.