Our health and disability system is being transformed to support all New Zealanders to live longer and have the best possible quality of life.
In April 2021, the Government announced a major transformation of the health and disability system reforms in response to the Health and Disability System Review.
Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act
The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act took effect on 1 July 2022, establishing four new entities:
- a new Public Health Agency within the Ministry to lead and strengthen public health
- Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand as the national organisation to lead and coordinate delivery of health services across the country
- Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority as an independent statutory authority to drive improvement in Hauora Māori
- Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People to provide a wider lens on disability across Government and drive transformation of the disability support system.
The Act recognises the role of Iwi–Māori Partnership Boards to act as a vehicle for Māori to exercise tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake with respect to planning and decision-making for health services at the local level.
The 20 district health boards were disestablished, and Health NZ now operates hospitals and health services.
Public health units and Te Hiringa Hauora – Health Promotion Agency are part of the National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health NZ.
Around 60–80 localities will be established in communities around the country to provide advice on health services needed.
Disability support system transformation
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People was created on 1 July 2022 to provide a wider lens on disability across Government, and to drive transformation of the disability support system.
Disabled people will now have a dedicated agency that will support a whole-of-life approach to disability, rather than considering the community’s needs through a health lens alone.
Visit the Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People website for more information.
About the Health and Disability System Review
In 2018 the Government announced a wide-ranging review of the Health and Disability system in New Zealand, designed to future-proof our health and disability services.
The Review looked at the overall function of the health and disability system and whether the system is balanced towards wellness, access, equity, and sustainability. Ms Heather Simpson was appointed as Chair of the review.
The final report on the findings of the Review was released on 16 June 2020.
Visit the Health and Disability System Review website for more information.