Kia ora
As parliament progressed towards disestablishing Te Aka Whai Ora this week, we received a message from the Ministry of Health with information about the change and roles for the Ministry and Te Whatu Ora.
Our thoughts are with members, their whānau, patients, and communities impacted by this change, and respect this is a challenging time for many health professionals. PNZ has supported the work of Te Aka Whai Ora and equity for Māori is one of our strategic priorities.
Please read the message below from the Ministry of Health Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, Dr Martin Chadwick.
Ngā mihi nui
Tēnā koutou katoa
An amendment to legislation that will disestablish the Māori Health Authority has been introduced in Parliament by Hon Dr Reti, Minister of Health, today.
The coalition Government set 49 objectives in the 100-day plan. The plan is set to be delivered by March 8, 2024. It has eight health-specific initiatives.
This is a narrow Bill, focused on the changes needed to disestablish the Māori Health Authority. This takes effect from 30 June 2024.
Iwi Māori Partnership Boards and the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee remain in place. The amendment does not disestablish either. The voice of both IMPBs and HMAC may evolve but both have a role in the future for Māori health.
The Ministry of Health acknowledges the many people who have contributed to the work of the Māori Health Authority. Their expertise is valuable, and we want to keep it within the health system.
Māori Health Authority staff and functions will transfer to Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora. The health system maintains the expertise needed to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders including Māori.
The disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority means health system commissioning sits with Health New Zealand and health system leadership with the Ministry of Health. Consolidation of the Māori Health Authority functions does not affect frontline health services.
The transfer of staff and functions to Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health means if you have day to day relationships with people at the Māori Health Authority, those relationships will transfer with the relationship holder. The Ministry maintains its monitoring and stewardship role during the transfer process.
The health system continues to have a focus on Māori health and there is an intention to shift decision-making closer to communities to allow the people who know their whānau and communities best to guide service design and commissioning.
Page updated March 2024