Latest news with #PaeOra)AmendmentBill
Scoop
4 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Māori Health Leaders Warn Against Government Bill Stripping Treaty Rights
Ka anga atu au ki te anamata, ka titiro ki tua ki te pitomata, he ao anō kei mua i te aroaro – he reanga hou, he reanga reo! Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua is today cautioning the Government's proposed Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill and its reduction of Māori governance in health decision-making. Te Pae Oranga Pītau Whakarei (Chief Executive) Naomi Manu MNZM says, 'While we are disappointed with the proposal to remove our direct link to Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand and the Government, we remain resolute in our focus on oranga tonutanga (lifelong wellness) for whānau in our rohe, and upholding mana motuhake (self-determination) in health decision-making.' Te Pae Oranga was established as the Mid-Central Iwi Māori Partnership Board in the 2022 Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act to represent and advocate for the health needs of the 44,000 Māori in the Manawatū, Palmerston North, Horowhenua, Tararua and Ōtaki regions. 'On behalf of the seven mana whenua in this rohe who entrusted us with their mandate, we will continue to advocate for the health needs and aspirations of whānau in this rohe, advise how the healthcare system is performing, and recommend health system design and service delivery to improve outcomes for our whānau.' Te Pae Oranga says the Bill proposes changes that undermine Te Tiriti obligations, iwi and Māori governance roles in health, and equity protections across vulnerable population groups. The proposed Bill strips key functions of the locally appointed IMPBs, removes explicit Crown responsibilities concerning Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and removes the health equity principles, which significantly weaken Crown responsibilities to marginalised populations, including Māori, disabled communities, refugees, migrants, LGBTQIA+ communities, and others. The principles guide the healthcare system to specifically work towards better outcomes for communities that historically suffer worse health outcomes, including Māori, who die an average of seven years earlier than non-Māori in New Zealand. 'We agree with the Minister of Health's focus on the healthcare system's accountability, efficiency and delivery of better outcomes for patients. Te Pae Oranga already holds proven solutions and local data to inform this work, and we invite Health Minister Simeon Brown to engage with us on how to deliver those outcomes together,' says Manu. Manu asks, 'Who is better placed to represent Māori communities than locally chosen Māori health leaders? We're still here and we will continue doing the work to improve the health system.' In April this year, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand reported back to Te Pae Oranga results of their hauora Māori services outcome reporting and noted that: '43% of the people accessing hauora Māori healthcare services in the Mid-Central district do not identify as Māori, showing we know what works across the system.' The Government introduced the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill to Parliament on 2 July to amend the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. Parliament referred the Bill to the Health Select Committee, which will receive written submissions until 1 pm on 18 August 2025. The Committee will then report back to Parliament by 24 November 2025. The 2022 Act established the Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) and outlined their role in engaging with communities, assessing the state of hauora Māori, monitoring health sector performance, and working with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora to develop priorities for improving hauora Māori. About Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua is the Iwi Māori Partnership Board established in the 2022 Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act to listen to and advocate for the health needs of the 44,000 Māori in the Manawatū, Palmerston North, Horowhenua, Tararua and Ōtaki regions known as the Mid-Central District. Te Pae Oranga is an iwi-mandated Charitable Trust representing the seven mana whenua, mātāwaka and mana whaikaha across the Mid-Central district. Te Pae Oranga board members were appointed by the Mid-Central community after its establishment in 2022. As in the first article of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – governance over Māori affairs – Te Pae Oranga works towards better health outcomes for the Mid-Central district. About Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards IMPBs are representatives connected with and appointed by their communities because they are best placed to understand the needs of whānau, hapū and iwi in their respective regions, working to a future of pae ora (good health). IMPBs' role is to listen to the health needs and priorities of Māori communities, and work to meet these with government and the health sector.
1News
08-08-2025
- Health
- 1News
Iwi Māori partnership boards unite to oppose changes to health legislation
Iwi Māori partnership boards (IMPBs) from across the country are making a unified stand against proposed policy changes they say will reduce their statutory role in the health system. The fifteen boards are meeting in New Plymouth for the first time since the first reading of the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill. They say their monitoring powers are critical to ensuring health services are accountable to Māori communities and responsive to local needs. The hui aims to 'build a unified national voice' in response to the proposed changes, according to host IMPB Te Punanga Ora. They refer to Article 2 of Te Tiriti o Waitangi that guarantees tino rangatiratanga. 'These changes take us from active partners to passive recipients - a shift that undermines the partnership foundations built over decades,' said Hiria Te Paki, pou whakahaere. 'Telling us after the fact is not consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.' ADVERTISEMENT IMPBs were established under the Act in 2022 to ensure the health needs and priorities of Māori communities are met. 'This move silences our voices and severs a critical connection between Māori communities and the health system,' said Te Paki. 'Māori are still dying, on average, seven years younger than non-Māori. Diluting our leadership and input will only deepen these inequities.' Chair of the Tūwharetoa Iwi Māori Partnership Board and former Labour MP Louisa Wall said initially IMPBs were created as a solution to assist the government to address inequities within the health system. 'So the latest iteration of changes is to diminish our role, but we are servants of our people. All of us have mandate from hapū and iwi to represent our whānau voices so we will continue to do that in spite of this government.' Louisa Wall (Source: Te Karere) The IMPBs represent more than 900,000 Māori. Wall said the biggest problem Māori face with the health system is primary intervention – engaging earlier and 'not at the hospital'. ADVERTISEMENT '[The health system is] inefficient because our people are engaging far too late and the reason iwi Māori partnership boards were formed in the first place was to make access – and early access – possible, and that's what we've all been focused on.' She said in undermining the role of IMPBs, the government has undermined the whole health system. 'They're almost cutting off their nose to spite their face, and that's the ridiculous part of what they're doing, and the most disappointing, is that we're just starting to get traction and make a real difference and ensure that patients are at the centre of our health system.' She said they had 'stunning' relationships with previous Health Ministers Dr Shane Reti and Peeni Henare but have yet to meet with Minister Simeon Brown. 'It's appalling behaviour for partners in a system that put patients first, and so this government's really clear that they want to do that but through their actions they've actually contradicted the whole ethos of the changes that they're proposing.' Health Minister Brown said his priority is ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare and the government is committed to delivering services based on need. He said he recognised that different approaches are required to effectively reach and support communities. ADVERTISEMENT 'As part of this, we are enhancing the role of the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee (HMAC), which will provide independent advice to both me and the board of Health New Zealand. 'Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) will play a key role in this approach by engaging with their communities and sharing local insights with HMAC. This advice will inform decision-making made by myself and the Health New Zealand board.' He said the changes have been welcomed by the Āti Awa Toa Hauora Partnership Board as well as HMAC who has expressed its support. The Minister announced in June the proposed changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 and the amendment bill passed its first reading in July. Public submissions on the bill close on August 18.
