Te Aka Whai Ora today welcomed a report released from the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee and published a response to its recommendations. The report, commissioned by the Minister of Health, includes a high-level assessment of Te Aka Whai Ora and progress against Cabinet expectations, commitments, and priorities.  

Te Aka Whai Ora Chair Tipa Mahuta says the report is based on a snapshot in time, and many of the recommendations have either been completed, or work is already underway on them. 

“This was a review at a point in time, just 10 months into our establishment journey. There are some practical recommendations that are helpful, and we accept the wero on those areas for improvement, says Tipa. 

As a Board, we are proud of the work that has been undertaken by our team. We have had to build our waka, while navigating some big challenges, and we have delivered in many areas.” 

Tipa acknowledges that some people may read the report and ask why Te Aka Whai Ora did not move faster.   

“In our first six months, we responded to the need for more services designed by and for Māori. We have made commissioning decisions to increase funding for kaupapa Māori, launched Te Pae Tata Interim New Zealand Health Plan with Te Whatu Ora, and provided urgent recovery funding to support those most affected parts of the country following Cyclone Gabrielle. Add to this, that together with iwi throughout the country we have created 15 iwi-Māori partnership boards who will represent whānau in the design and delivery of healthcare.” 

The report raised concerns about the speed of recruitment. Chief Executive Riana Manuel says this is not a problem unique to Te Aka Whai Ora. 

“As a new entity, we have faced the same workforce challenges as others in a tight labour market. We have had to fill roles across the organisation, while at the same time develop our way of operating and everything that comes with building a new organisation. As we move into our second year, this remains a priority, says Riana.   

Another really important area of focus for us is on building stronger relationships, with our health sector partners, Te Whatu Ora, Manatū Hauora, our iwi-Māori partnership boards, and hauora Māori partners. This is critical because we all need to work together to ensure the delivery of health services to Māori works better than it does today.” 

Riana adds that building a sustainable health system that better serves our communities, better supports, and grows our health workforce, addresses the current inequities, and improves health outcomes for Māori, is a complicated task that will take time.  

“Te Aka Whai Ora has a plan in place, and we are committed to leading and monitoring transformational change for the hauora health and wellbeing needs of whānau Māori now and into the future.” 

Hauora Māori Advisory Committee report | Manatu Hauorauora

Te Aka Whai Ora response to the Hauora Māori Advisory report [PDF, 65 KB]