Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill submissions closing soon

Following the Health and Disability Review in 2020, The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill provides for a new structure and new accountability arrangements for the publicly-funded health system, in order to protect, promote, and improve the health of all New Zealanders.

This is currently at select committee stage, with submissions on this being accepted until December 9, 2021.

Among the views being sought are those on the Pacific Strategy section of the Bill, and if it meets the aspirations of Pacific people in primary care.

Pacific Aotearoa is being encouraged to put forward their views, to ensure their voice is heard when it comes to health care in New Zealand.

The Bill disestablishes District Health Boards and the Health Promotion Agency, and establishes:

• Health New Zealand (a new Crown agent to lead system operations, planning, commissioning, and delivery of health services)
• the Māori Health Authority (independent statutory entity with clear accountabilities to both Māori and the Crown. It will co-commission and plan services with Health New Zealand, commission kaupapa Māori services, and monitor the performance of the system for Māori),
• A Public Health Agency.  

The Bill aims to tackle the root causes of inequity and variation in the structure of the health system. The Bill is intended to give effect to the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi. The purpose of the reforms is to:  

• protect, promote, and improve the health of all New Zealanders;  
• achieve equity by reducing health disparities among New Zealand’s population groups, for Māori; and 
• build towards pae ora (healthy futures) for all New Zealanders. 

It also provides a statutory purpose and framework for recognising iwi-Māori partnership boards.  

See more information in Te Reo Māori, Gagana Samoa, Lea Faka Tonga, Te Reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani, and English