The Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill aimed at reforming the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 has passed its first reading in Parliament. The legislation was introduced by Health Minister, Hon. Simeon Brown who says it “puts patients first”. He described the reforms as a move toward “less Wellington waffle, more results,” with legislated specific health targets, stating “what gets measured gets managed.”
Opposition MPs from various parties strongly criticised the Bill during its first reading, warning it would roll back Māori health equity, strip Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, and shift the system away from prevention and public wellbeing. All-in-all it was “devastating” to the aspirations of Māori.
While acknowledging the need to improve hospital wait times and workforce pressures, MPs argued that reform should not come at the cost of Māori-led solutions or equity. They condemned the removal of Te Tiriti obligations, how Iwi Māori Partnership Boards have become advisory roles, and the loss of Māori health targets — describing it as an attempt to “whitewash” Māori governance.
Broad opposition across the sector was also raised in the House which spanned Māori and non-Māori organisations — including the National Iwi Chairs Forum, PSA Māori Caucus, Hauora Māori groups, and Waitangi Tribunal claimants.
Several experts, including Dame Naida Glavish, Professor Sue Crengle, and Dr Rawiri Keenan, labelled the Bill a “direct attack on Māori wellbeing”, with Keenan calling it “ethnocide.” Opposition speakers also highlighted the key role iwi and Māori providers played during COVID-19 for all of society and warned that their leadership was now being undermined.
Members also said the Bill shifts the system’s focus from Pae Ora (healthy futures) to Pae Mate (illness), weakening prevention and population health strategies. They also accused the Government of politicising the public sector and offering hollow praise for health workers amid ongoing workforce burnout and departures to Australia. Opposition leaders vowed to repeal the Bill if elected in 2026.
The Bill will now go to select committee for public submissions. It will report back on 25 November 2025.