Photo: Board member Maxine Ketu and e Tiratū Tumu Whakarae, Brandi Hudson attend the National IMPB Hui in New Plymouth
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board (IMPB), as part of a national alliance of 15 IMPBs, opposes the proposed amendments to the Pae Ora Act, warning that the changes would weaken Te Tiriti-based partnerships and undermine progress in Māori health equity.
At a recent National IMPB Hui in New Plymouth, 15 IMPBs representing 914,400 Māori from 82 iwi aligned in opposition to the Bill. The discussions highlighted the critical importance of maintaining partnerships that are rooted in trust, respect, and intergenerational thinking, ensuring solutions are anchored in mātauranga Māori and the realities of whānau.
The hui included rangatahi voices emphasising the deep connections between hauora, whakapapa, and whenua. Their presentations stressed the need for health approaches that integrate ancestral knowledge with modern, data-driven health systems. This interweaving of the old and the new highlighted the value of locally led solutions that resonate with whānau and communities.
Te Tiratū IMPB asserts that the proposed changes would remove direct iwi accountability, replacing kanohi ki te kanohi relationships with a centralised, Minister-appointed process. This approach risks tokenistic consultation rather than genuine Māori leadership, and threatens the hard-won equity gains achieved by IMPBs over the past decade.
The Board’s position is clear: local accountability through IMPBs must remain, regional advice to Te Whatu Ora must be strengthened, and health strategies must include specific Māori equity actions. Any amendments that weaken or replace Te Tiriti principles are opposed.
Te Tiratū IMPB submitted its formal response to the Health Committee on 18 August 2025, supporting a unified IMPB call to:
- Retain HMAC accountability to iwi through IMPBs
- Strengthen IMPB roles for local and regional advice to Te Whatu Ora
- Develop health strategies with targeted Māori equity actions
- Oppose amendments that undermine Te Tiriti principles
Our Board emphasises that this is about safeguarding the right to lead local solutions for Māori communities. Analysis shows the proposed changes are unlikely to improve Māori health outcomes, reinforcing the need to maintain systems that are already showing results.
Te Tiratū IMPB remains committed to advocating for whānau-centred health solutions and ensuring Māori voices remain central in shaping Aotearoa’s health system.