Holding a mirror to the health system
Imagine your kuia waiting months for surgery that never comes. Your mokopuna needing a vaccination but there’s no transport to the clinic. Or your cousin being turned away from help because no one knows how to awhi them in a way that’s pono.
These are not isolated experiences. They are the everyday reality for many whānau Māori across the motu. And that’s why Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board created its very first Monitoring Report— to hold up a mirror to the health system and ask: Is it working for us? Is it honouring Te Tiriti?
The 46-page report looks at three key areas:
- Our priorities
- The Government’s national health targets
- The legal obligations of Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand under the Pae Ora legislation
It uses data and stories to help us track how the health system is doing – and whether it’s truly honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
What We Found
While there are some signs of improvement – especially in mental health – we are still far from a health system that serves our people equitably. Some of the findings are deeply concerning.
- Inequity is still everywhere. Whānau Māori face ongoing barriers like cost, travel, long wait times, and unsafe or culturally inappropriate services.
- Low screening and poor access. Screening rates for cancer are far too low, and many Māori are missing out on basic primary care.
- Gaps in the data. Key areas like immunisation, oral health, and mental health aren’t being properly measured – making it hard to hold the system to account.
- Treaty promises not upheld. We see little authentic iwi partnership in decision-making and governance – a key part of the Pae Ora legislation.
- Our Hauora Māori providers are doing the mahi – but they’re held back by inequitable funding, siloed systems, and contracting processes that don’t reflect partnership.
- On the upside – mental health and addiction services have improved for Māori in our region which shows what’s possible when whānau needs are properly listened to and resourced.
Where to Next?
Te Tiratū has shared the findings with Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee.
We’ve invited them to consider how there can be better resourcing and use this report to inform their advice to Minister Brown on policy development, investment, and governance decisions going forward for Māori.
With the health system in flux – including the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority and changes proposed to the Pae Ora legislation – we know this is a crucial time. Our commitment remains firm and unwavering: to uplift Whānau Voice, uphold Te Tiriti, shape the system so it’s fair, accessible and equitable so our whānau receive the care they deserve.