NZ Doctor

Leaders from all 15 iwi Māori partnership boards are in New Plymouth to present a united front against the Government’s proposed changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022.

Speaking to media attending the hui this morning, Tūwharetoa IMPB chair Louisa Wall says the Government’s actions are “appalling”.

“We had a stunning relationship with our first minister, Peeni Henare, and then a stunning relationship with our second minister, Dr Shane Reti,” Ms Wall says.

“This minister hasn’t even met with us, so it’s appalling behaviour for our partners in the system who say they put patients first.”

But, given boards are now incorporated societies or charitable entities, she says they will continue pushing for system changes within their role regardless of any new legislation: “None of that will change, but it’s easier if we have a formal relationship.”

“This move silences our voices and severs a critical connection”

Proposed changes to act

The amendment bill, which will also change the act’s name to Healthy Futures (Pae Ora), takes away current board functions relating to business planning, service design and service monitoring, and replaces them with the single task of collecting the “whānau voice” on healthcare priorities.

This feedback will then be passed to the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee which will inform the new board of Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora.

The amendments are also likely to include the creation of new IMPBs for Tūhoe and the Chatham Islands.

In a media release, Hiria Te Paki, chair of hosting Taranaki IMPB, Te Punanga Ora, says the amendments reduce boards from active partners to passive recipients and undermine long-standing partnerships: “Telling us after the fact is not consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

“This move silences our voices and severs a critical connection between Māori communities and the health system,” says Mr Te Paki.

“Māori are still dying, on average, seven years younger than non-Māori. Diluting our leadership and input will only deepen these inequities.”

Ms Wall, a former Labour Party MP, says the dilution of the IMPB role undermines the health system and shows achieving equity is no longer a priority: “(The Government), I guess, will put (the health system) back to first come, first serve. Whoever knows the system is going to be able to access the services…”

The amendment bill was presented to Parliament for its first reading by health minister Simeon Brown on 22 July.

In the Hansard report of the debate Mr Brown, when presenting the bill, says the changes bring “greater focus” to the role of IMPBs, while HMAC, which is made up of members appointed by the minister who work part-time and meet monthly, will have “a clear statutory function”.

In response, Labour Party health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says the changes are ideological and will cause “a terrible loss of Māori voice, and our health system will be worse for it”.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer stood “in fierce opposition to this ridiculous bill” which she says goes against the advice of healthcare experts.

“I can’t wait to get the opportunity in government in 2026 to repeal this bill fast as we can.”

After National Party MP and health select committee chair Sam Uffindell called Ms Ngarewa-Packer’s speech “the worst I’ve ever heard in the House” his colleague, specialist GP Vanessa Weenink, attacked the previous Labour Government’s reforms as an “omnishambles” that disrupted decision-making and communication: “No one has had either the authority, or, frankly, temerity to make any decisions, and the responsibility for the consequences of that have been opaque as well.”

The bill has been sent to Parliament’s health committee for public submissions and is scheduled to be reported back to the house by 24 November.

The National Iwi Māori Partnership Board Hui Tahi is being held in New Plymouth’s Devon Hotel from 7 –8 August.