Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive, Margie Apa

Health New Zealand is committed to continuing to talk with staff and unions as it progresses change processes.

These changes are required to ensure we live within our budget and can move resources and decision making closer to local communities.

Consultation documents were released last week for the National Public Health, Hauora Māori and Digital Services, and Pacific Health and are the culmination of significant pre-work with staff and unions. We are planning to release several other consultation proposals over the coming weeks.

Our priority has consistently been to ensure we approach change collaboratively and with transparency and today we have confirmed that for consultations before Christmas, we are:

  • Extending the periods of consultation to four weeks, and in the case of NPHS and Digital we’re extending it further.
  • Planning to release the following documents by 12 December: 
    • Decision document for Clinical Leadership. Any EOI process would not commence before 13 January 2025.
    • Consultation documents for Planning, Funding and Outcomes (three separate consultation proposals); and Procurement and Supply Chain – with consultation running till 31 January, 2025.
    • Not releasing other consultation documents before Christmas.

This means NPHS & Digital Services will be extended to 31 January 2025; Hauora Māori Services to 17 January 2025; and Pacific to 17 January 2025.

After Christmas, the following documents are planned for release, in late January/February 2025:

  • Provisional Decision and Re-consultation document for Audit & Assurance.
  • Consultation documents for:
    • IIG.
    • Finance.
    • People & Culture.
    • Communications.
    • Risk.
    • Government Services.
    • Services contained within the previous Office of the Chief Executive.

It is important to remember consultation documents are proposals.

Supporting our people through change is a priority. Resources are available for those directly impacted by any proposed removal of roles.

I appreciate the ongoing commitment of all our staff as we move toward a more sustainable future for New Zealand healthcare.