Concerns raised over proposed health legislation amendments
Photo: Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board Co-chair Hagen Tautari
A collective of 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs), including Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, has voiced strong concerns that upcoming amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act may dilute local Māori influence and centralise health decision‑making in Wellington
Health Minister Simeon Brown’s proposed changes would reshape IMPBs from local decision-makers into advisory bodies, shifting their role to providing input via the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee (HMAC) rather than engaging directly in service design.
Hagen Tautari, Co‑Chair of Te Tīratu IMPB (Waikato region), warns that removing IMPBs’ autonomy threatens the authentic voice of whānau and undermines hard-won local gains. While welcoming the Minister’s commitment to equitable and timely healthcare, Tautari stresses that progress for Māori health is rooted in partnership and community-led design under Te Tiriti — not top-down governance.
The IMPBs have formally submitted their concerns in a letter to the Minister, emphasising that any reform must align with Treaty obligations by maintaining local influence, community engagement, and regional mana to achieve genuine equitable outcomes.
Experts on why bowel cancer screening changes are a concern
Te Tiratū iwi Māori partnership board
Friday 28 February 2025, 04:26 PM
2 minutes to Read
Government plans to lower the age for free bowel cancer screening for all New Zealanders by “redirecting” money previously set aside to lower the age for Māori and Pasifika has been described as “disappointing”.
“Screening is an essential tool for prevention and early detection, and expanding access will definitely save lives,” co-chair Hagen Tautari said.
“However, what we don’t want is to leave our people who are high-risk behind as they face substantially poorer health outcomes. What we need is an easier diagnostic process that removes systemic barriers.”
