The future of Māori health has again been thrust into the political spotlight, with Te Pāti Māori President John Tamihere arguing the current health system continues to fail Māori despite decades of reform and billions of dollars in public spending.
Speaking with Radio Waatea’s Dale Husband, Tamihere said persistent inequities in health outcomes demonstrate that structural change is still needed if Māori are to receive equitable healthcare.
The discussion examined the gap between the resources flowing through New Zealand’s health system and the outcomes experienced by Māori communities. Tamihere questioned whether the current model is delivering value for money, pointing to the significant funding absorbed across the wider health sector while Māori continue to experience poorer health outcomes, shorter life expectancy and barriers to accessing timely care.
He also highlighted the work of Māori health providers, saying many continue to deliver high-quality, culturally responsive services despite operating with comparatively modest resources. Across the country, iwi and Māori organisations are providing primary healthcare, mental health services, addiction support, whānau wellbeing programmes and preventative care, often working closely with the communities they serve.
The conversation explored the role these providers play in improving trust and engagement with whānau, with Tamihere arguing they consistently demonstrate strong outcomes despite receiving only a fraction of the funding available to larger parts of the health system.
During the interview, Dale Husband also raised questions about the Opposition’s health policy heading into the General Election, noting that while Labour has spoken broadly about improving health outcomes, it has yet to outline a detailed Māori health policy or clearly articulate how it would address longstanding inequities affecting Māori.
The exchange reflected the growing focus on health as a key election issue, particularly following recent changes to the health system and ongoing debate over the future of Māori-led healthcare.
For many Māori communities, access to culturally appropriate services, investment in kaupapa Māori providers and improving health equity remain central concerns ahead of the election.
As political parties continue to develop and release policy in the lead-up to polling day, Māori health is expected to remain a significant area of debate, with voters looking for clear commitments on how future governments intend to improve outcomes for whānau and support the providers working on the frontline.
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