Labour’s Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson says the country cannot afford to lose sight of the issues that matter most to whānau, arguing that Māori health, employment and economic opportunity must remain at the centre of this year’s election campaign.
Speaking to Radio Waatea, the senior Labour MP discussed a range of issues shaping the political landscape, from access to primary healthcare and rising Māori unemployment to the state of the economy and ongoing inequities within New Zealand’s health system.
Expanding Healthcare Beyond the GP
Jackson welcomed Labour’s support for expanding the role of community pharmacists, saying greater access to frontline healthcare could help relieve pressure on an overstretched health system while making services more accessible for whānau.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins recently said there remains significant scope for pharmacists to provide more healthcare services, including treatment for common conditions and preventative care, reducing unnecessary visits to already busy general practices and emergency departments. The proposal is seen as one way of improving access, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Jackson said improving access to primary healthcare is particularly important for Māori, who continue to experience poorer health outcomes and often face greater barriers to timely treatment.
Māori Health Remains a Major Concern
The discussion also turned to the wider state of the health system following comments from Dr Lance O’Sullivan, who recently described the system as “dangerous” for Māori because of persistent inequities in access, outcomes and the ability of services to respond appropriately to Māori needs.
Jackson said those concerns reinforce Labour’s long-standing position that health equity must remain a national priority.
Māori continue to experience shorter life expectancy, higher rates of chronic illness and poorer outcomes across many health indicators, despite decades of policy initiatives aimed at closing the gap. He argued that addressing those inequities requires sustained investment in culturally responsive services and Māori-led healthcare providers.
Employment Still a Challenge
Jackson also pointed to the latest employment figures showing Māori continue to be disproportionately represented among people receiving Jobseeker Support.
Recent data indicates the number of people receiving Jobseeker payments continues to trend upward, with Māori making up a significantly higher proportion of recipients than their share of the general population.
Jackson said meaningful employment remains one of the strongest drivers of improved health, education and long-term wellbeing, arguing that economic policy should focus on creating sustainable jobs and supporting regional development rather than simply managing unemployment statistics.
Economy Showing Mixed Signals
Despite continued pressure from the cost of living and subdued business confidence, Jackson acknowledged there are encouraging signs emerging in parts of the economy.
The New Zealand sharemarket has recently reached record highs, reflecting renewed investor confidence and expectations of improving economic conditions. Financial analysts attribute the gains to easing inflation pressures, stronger company earnings and expectations of lower interest rates over time.
Jackson said while strong market performance is positive, many ordinary families are yet to feel those benefits in their daily lives.
He argued that improving economic indicators must ultimately translate into better wages, more secure employment and lower living costs for households struggling with rising expenses.
Looking Towards the Election
As Labour continues shaping its election platform, Jackson said the party remains focused on practical policies that improve outcomes for Māori while strengthening public services for all New Zealanders.
He said the election presents an opportunity for voters to consider not only the country’s economic performance but also whether all New Zealanders are benefiting equally from growth and whether essential services—including healthcare, employment and education—are delivering equitable outcomes.
For Jackson, the challenge is ensuring Māori voices remain central to those conversations and that policies are judged not only by economic statistics but by the difference they make to whānau across Aotearoa.
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