Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Te Aka Whai Ora was the pounamu or centre piece within Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 and enabled the development of research that encapsulated the key principles of the New Zealand Health Strategy. With strong community engagement, developing community leadership and workforce capacity-building, Te Aka Whai Ora was addressing disparities and contributing to enhanced health and wellbeing. Extensive consultation with community researchers strengthened the level of support from Māori communities and held significant potential for improved Māori health outcomes.

The Disestablishment Act is likely to be profoundly damaging to Crown relationships with Māori. It failed to respect Māori tino rangatiratanga, Māori expertise and mātauranga Māori. The health reforms initiated by Pae Ora with Te Aka Whai Ora at the forefront were a once in a lifetime opportunity to address Māori health inequities and enhance health outcomes for everyone who calls Aotearoa home. Almost 200 years after the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, both partners, and the Crown in particular, must commit to the original intentions of the agreement and implement innovative measures such as a Māori-focussed entity to achieve equitable health outcomes for Māori and ensure social justice for all.