Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti addressed Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards in March of this year and affirmed he will strengthen the role of IMPBs nationally. His speech spoke of a new dream for Māori Health that included timely access to quality healthcare and acknowledged that wider social determinants play a critical role in the overall health and wellbeing of whānau.
“I want to paint a vision for Māori and all New Zealanders. My vision is that all New Zealanders will have timely access to quality healthcare. That is the mission statement”
Te Taura Ora o Waiariki travelled to Otautahi for this hui and had the priviledge of speaking with the Minister one on one where we discussed the social issues our rohe faces and how we can support our people by breaking down cross sectoral silos. The Minister acknowledged that 80% of a persons overall wellbeing is determined by socail impacts and only 20% can be attributed to clinical health.
Do not be daunted. I know that each IMPB will have its own aspirations and plan, and we would like to work with you to facilitate a process where you are resourced to test and develop ways of working, which would then provide good evidence to inform longer-term resourcing. I know there are models that have worked before that we can better support, like the COVID-19 Care in the Community model.