Proposed Pae Ora reforms lack evidence & crown’s Te Tiriti partnership with iwi non-negotiable

Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board (IMPB), representing over 121,000 Māori across the greater Waikato region, will present its submission opposing proposed changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act on Wednesday 3 September at 1.00pm.
One of fifteen Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards across Aotearoa, Te Tiratū stands united against proposed Pae Ora changes that would strip Te Tiriti protections, curb Māori decision-making, and deepen health inequities.
The Board warns that altering the roles and functions of IMPBs under Section 30 would undermine the Government’s commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, and meaningful Māori participation in health decision-making.
“Our leadership, knowledge, and influence are already delivering tangible results for whānau Māori,” said Co- Chair Tipa Mahuta. “The proposed reforms are not supported by evidence or Māori health data and risk reversing progress on improving outcomes for our communities.”
Te Tiratū highlights that IMPBs play a critical role in local and regional health planning, monitoring, and prioritisation, ensuring Māori voices and mātauranga Māori are central to decisions. Through initiatives such as the Community Health Plan and ongoing monitoring reports, IMPBs provide actionable insights to Health NZ and other agencies to drive better outcomes and stronger returns on taxpayer investment.
The Board points to decades of Māori-led success in health services, including the rapid and effective COVID-19 response, demonstrating that locally-led, iwi-driven solutions outperform traditional government approaches. Yet, Māori health inequities persist, with ongoing gaps in cancer screening, access to primary care, and chronic disease management. IMPBs are uniquely positioned to be the circuit-breaker to these long-standing disparities.
Te Tiratū also notes that the Government’s broader economic goals, including the “Going for Growth” Māori economic strategy, depend on healthy, supported whānau. IMPBs, if empowered, can drive innovation, workforce development, and local investment in health infrastructure, further supporting Māori economic growth.
“The Crown’s duty to partner with iwi under Te Tiriti o Waitangi is non-negotiable,” said Mahuta. “IMPBs must retain their legislated functions. Removing or diminishing our role risks repeating decades of systemic failure and wasted taxpayer resources.”
Te Tiratū urges the Minister of Health and Government to uphold Section 30 of the Pae Ora Act, ensuring IMPBs continue to lead, influence, and transform Māori health outcomes.