As the Ministry of Health’s Te Pou Hauora Māori continues its role as the chief steward for Māori health, the organisation remains responsible for providing assurance that the health system is meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, improving Māori health outcomes and reducing longstanding inequities.
The role comes at a time when the health system is facing significant challenges, including pressure on hospitals, growing demand for mental health services, changes to diabetes screening, and a continued focus on improving outcomes for pēpi and whānau.
The following questions explore some of the key issues currently facing Māori health.
Te Pou Hauora Māori exercises the Ministry of Health’s kaitiakitanga function for Māori health. As the Minister’s chief steward for Māori health, the role includes ensuring the health system upholds Te Tiriti obligations, supports Māori aspirations and delivers equitable outcomes.
Do you believe the Ministry of Health is currently meeting its obligations to improve Māori health outcomes and support Māori health aspirations? Where do you believe the greatest progress has been made, and where does the system still need significant improvement?
Hospitals across New Zealand are experiencing intense pressure during winter, with emergency departments reporting long waits and high patient demand. The death of a patient while waiting in Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department has intensified concerns about capacity, workforce shortages and patient safety.
Given Te Pou Hauora Māori’s responsibility for stewardship of Māori health, what role does your office play in monitoring whether these pressures are disproportionately affecting Māori patients? Are you confident the health system is providing equitable access to timely emergency care during this winter surge?
Mental health continues to be one of the most significant health challenges facing Māori, with inequities remaining across access to services, suicide prevention, addiction support and specialist care.
What do you see as the biggest priorities for improving Māori mental health, and what changes are still needed to ensure whānau can access culturally safe, timely and effective support when they need it?
Recent changes to the HbA1c threshold used to determine eligibility for funded diabetes technology have generated considerable debate, particularly given Māori experience disproportionately high rates of Type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Following our previous discussion on this issue, are you satisfied the revised thresholds strike the right balance between clinical evidence and equitable access, or do you remain concerned about the impact these changes could have on Māori living with or at risk of diabetes?
Healthy sleep during infancy plays an important role in early childhood development, supporting brain development, emotional wellbeing and whānau health.
Many parents receive a wide range of advice, sometimes with conflicting messages. What are the four key foundations of healthy sleep for pēpi that every whānau should know, and how can healthcare providers better support Māori parents during those crucial early months?
As Aotearoa continues to confront longstanding health inequities, the work of Te Pou Hauora Māori will remain central to ensuring Māori voices are reflected in health policy, service delivery and system accountability. From acute hospital pressures to prevention and early intervention, the challenge remains creating a health system that delivers equitable outcomes for all.
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