15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards sign collective submission on the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill
History has been made. All 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) across Aotearoa spanning from Te Tai Tokerau down to Te Waipounamu, have worked together to review, provide feedback, and endorse a united submission on the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill. While IMPB’s have collaborated on many kaupapa before, this milestone cements their combined impact and influence at the national level.
This follows the National IMPB Hui held in Taranaki earlier this month. It was there that momentum was galvanised, and the respective boards committed to continue moving as one voice.
“This is a historic moment,” says Kandi Ngataki, Chair of Ngaa Pou Hauora oo Taamaki Makaurau.
“Fifteen Boards, representing iwi and whānau from every rohe in the country, are standing as one. It is kotahitanga in action, Te Tiriti-centred, a united voice coupled with a firm commitment to shaping the future for whānau.”
The submission itself makes clear that IMPB’s do not support any changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 that weaken obligations to Te Tiriti. IMPB boards are particularly concerned about the repeal of sections that remove the statutory obligation of Te Whatu Ora to engage with and be accountable to Iwi, and provisions that undermine Māori authority over matters affecting hauora Māori.
The collective IMPB submission has been officially lodged to the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill Committee.
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Proposed Pae Ora Bill Sparks Concern as Local Iwi Māori Partnership Board Warns of Silenced Māori Voices
Te Taura Ora o Waiariki, the Iwi Māori Partnership Board (IMPB) has just returned from a landmark national hui in New Plymouth, where 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards united to oppose government plans that threaten to silence Māori voices and weaken decades of hard-won health partnerships guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“What we’ve learned is the public health system is actually not doing really well for our people, and we have known this for many years,” said Te Taura Ora Chair, Hingatu Thompson.
The first monitoring report released by Te Taura Ora o Waiariki IMPB revealed critical gaps in prevention and access for Māori in Te Arawa, highlighting low cancer screening rates and the country’s lowest child immunisation coverage, underscoring the urgent need for greater investment in Māori-led health solutions.
“What was encouraging with the original Pae Ora Act was that mana returned to Te Arawa to take control, to analyse data ourselves with our Whānau Voice surveying that gathers our own information from whānau our rohe to influence priorities.”
“However, now the government’s proposed changes in the Pae Ora Bill threaten to remove iwi’s meaningful participation and advice on the future of hauora for our people.”
Thompson said Te Arawa has maintained strong hauora partnerships across successive governments and will continue to do so. However, the proposed legislation risks sidelining iwi voices by channelling feedback primarily through the Minister-appointed Hauora Māori Advisory Committee (HMAC) which lacks representation from Waiariki, instead of empowering locally appointed Iwi Māori Partnership Boards to engage directly at regional and community levels, where real, meaningful change occurs.
“As Iwi Māori Partnership Boards, we have unique regional and local priorities and accountability to our whānau at home. We must work directly with Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand at these levels to influence how services are delivered, who delivers them, and ultimately to achieve better outcomes for Māori in our rohe. The government’s talk of ‘streamlining’ feels like a convenient way to reduce Māori engagement,” Thompson said.
Te Taura Ora o Waiariki IMPB strongly supports:
- Retaining and clarifying the accountability of HMAC to iwi Māori through IMPBs.
- Strengthening IMPB roles to provide regional and local advice to Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand.
- Developing new health strategies with specific actions to improve Māori health outcomes.
- Opposing any amendments to the Pae Ora Act that weaken or replace the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“The government’s own analysis shows these changes will have minimal positive impact on Māori health outcomes, yet they risk diminishing Māori involvement. We firmly believe that continuing and enhancing the current partnership model will lead to genuine improvements and reduced inequities.”
“While that national hui is only the beginning of a national conversation, common themes are emerging, iwi and IMPBs do not support these proposed changes and question their necessity.”
“We are committed to working together nationally to form a single, strong voice, but improving life expectancy, child immunisation rates, accessibility to health delivery services locally and regionally is where we need to make the ultimate progress.”
Each IMPB, including Te Taura Ora o Waiariki, will submit their own detailed submission to the Health Committee on the proposed legislation by 18 August. Thompson intends to present in person to the select committee on behalf of whānau in Waiariki.
Media Liaison: Sarah Sparks
Email: Sarah.sparks@sparksconsulting.co.nz
Mobile: 021318813
See the photo gallery below for a snapshot of the conference.
Iwi gather to oppose centralised health reforms
A prominent Taranaki Māori leader has warned the implementation of proposed health reforms would lead to a rise in negative health outcomes for Māori.
Fifteen Iwi-Māori partnership boards, representing nearly one million Māori from around New Zealand, are meeting in New Plymouth for a two day hui to oppose proposed changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act.
Mitchell Ritai, the deputy chair for Te Punanga Ora, the partnership board for Taranaki, said iwi were concerned about how the changes proposed under the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill 2025 would impact Māori.
Ritai said he feared the changes would reduce the ability for Māori to develop suitable local programmes to target such intergenerational health issues as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
“So, trying to break that initially is going to be real difficult when you don’t have the opportunity to have localised initiatives and localised programmes that really target that,” he said.
“What we’ll see is an increase in particular statistics, as we do now, such as in diabetes, obesity and heart attacks.”
He said a local response to Māori health needs was required because each area had its own different priorities.
A 2023 Health New Zealand status report showed that in Taranaki, Māori have higher rates of preventable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, chronic respiratory disease and certain cancers than non-Māori, which reflected national trends.
“Focusing on areas such as heart disease, elderly, tamariki as well are all important focus areas for us here in Taranaki.”
Ritai said following the hui, the boards would prepare a submission in response to the Bill by August 18.
“It’s important that we have a voice during this process. My preference is that we have greater dialogue with the Government, as opposed to trying to do that through a select committee process.”
Board representatives would hear from Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Green MP Hūhana Lyndon and Labour’s Dr Ayesha Verrall on Friday.
The iwi boards were established by the Government in 2022 to ensure the health needs and priorities of Māori communities were met.
With the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority last year, Health New Zealand said the boards took on strengthened strategic commissioning roles locally.
The boards claimed proposed changes would reduce their statutory role in the health system and were concerned the reforms reflected a broader trend towards centralising control and reducing Māori governance.
The Government stated the Bill aimed to improve New Zealand’s health system by refining the roles of Health New Zealand and Māori health advisory groups to enhance service delivery and reduce bureaucracy.
It would focus on equity, engagement with Māori communities and align with health plans to provide timely and culturally responsive care, the Government said.
Health Minister Simeon Brownsaid in a press release the Government was focused on ensuring New Zealanders had access to timely, quality healthcare.
“These changes are about improving health outcomes by making sure the system is focused on delivery, not bogged down in doing the same thing twice. That means better care for patients through a more connected, transparent and effective health system,” he said.
The Bill passed its first reading in Parliament in July.
Article by Will Johnston [Taranaki Daily News]
Original Source: https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360783847/iwi-gather-oppose-centralised-health-reforms
All 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards pushing back
Waatea News Radio Interview
All 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards are meeting in Taranaki today to push back against the government’s proposed changes to the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill.
Original Source: https://waateanews.com/2025/08/07/mitchell-ritai-te-punanga-ora-impb/
IMPBs uniting against Pae Ora amendments in bid to protect Māori voice
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.
Critical connection severed
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…”
Parliamentary debate kicks off
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.”
National MPs defend bill
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.
Article by: Alan Perrott
Original Source: https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/news/impbs-uniting-against-pae-ora-amendments-bid-protect-maori-voice?check_logged_in=1
Iwi leaders unified in opposition against Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill changes
Māori leaders have come together in Taranaki to oppose proposed changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill, which they say will undermine their role in the health system and threaten hard-won gains in Māori health equity. Lineni Tuitupou was there.
Original Source: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=1926571778183675&rdid=5UCyfaiXo9YTCpqD
Te Taura Ora Defends Māori Voice in Health Reforms
Te Taura Ora o Waiariki joined all 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) this week at a historic hui hosted by Te Punanga Ora in New Plymouth, Taranaki. The gathering brought together representatives of around 914,400 Māori across Aotearoa to respond to proposed reforms under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act, which would significantly reduce the statutory role of IMPBs in the health system.
The proposed changes would remove the boards’ monitoring powers, a critical function that ensures health services are accountable to Māori communities and responsive to local needs. Te Taura Ora o Waiariki Chair, Hingatu Thompson, emphasised the importance of iwi-led engagement and local influence.
“The opportunity of the IMPB is to make a difference in hauora, and that will be minimised by the Crown if they stop opportunities to engage. We want to work locally because that is where we can make a difference for our people, for Te Arawa, and for Māori within our rohe,” he said.
Hingatu also warned against how the government is reducing Māori engagement. “Streamlining, I believe, is a convenient word to reduce engagement in Māori. The government says the changes won’t have much impact on Māori outcomes, but the system is only now starting to show results. We’re starting to engage locally, starting to work more with Health NZ leadership, and that is where we can make a real difference.”
Fellow Board member, Lauren James facilitated a panel kōrero, opening with a vision for the future.
“As Māori, we’ve been talking about the devolution of health services for decades. It’s time we got serious and started demanding it now. We don’t just want services delivered to our communities because we can deliver them better ourselves, with better outcomes for our people. Devolution has to be a priority, across public, private, and philanthropic sectors,” she said.
Reflecting on the role of Te Arawa and the wider iwi network, Hingatu said: “As we analyse and monitor what the sector is doing for Māori, it’s clear it hasn’t been performing well, something we’ve known for years. But the mana has returned to Te Arawa, allowing us to form our own views, interpret the data ourselves, and gather our own information.”
He opposed the Pae Ora Bill, saying, “The changes the government is proposing would actually remove iwi from having a say in how hauora is shaped. Locally and regionally, it’s essential that iwi have the space to provide our own input.”
The two-day hui included a pōwhiri, keynote addresses from a representative of the Hauora Iwi Leaders Group from the National Iwi Chairs, workshops, panel discussions, and strategy sessions. The collective affirmed their commitment to upholding tino rangatiratanga as guaranteed under Article Two of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Te Taura Ora o Waiariki, alongside fellow IMPBs, remain steadfast in protecting Māori leadership and accountability in the health system, advocating for local voices to be at the centre of decisions that affect Māori whānau and communities.
Media Liaison: Sarah Sparks Email: Sarah.sparks@sparksconsulting.co.nz Mobile: 021318813
Milestone for Iwi Māori Partnership Boards
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Iwi Māori Partnership Boards have taken a major step as part of the Government’s commitment to the health of Māori communities.
Minister Reti has now received 15 IMPB community health plans, representing the vision and plans of the boards for health and wellbeing in communities throughout New Zealand.
“Receiving these plans is a hugely significant milestone in implementing my long-term vision for Māori health,” says Dr Reti.
“Having all 15 recognised IMPBs on board with their planning marks a pivotal step in ensuring health services identify and act on the actual needs and priorities of Māori communities.
“Development of the plans not only underscores the professionalism of the IMPBs in delivering them, but the content will also align and inform around key Government health targets, and in ensuring a Māori voice is heard in health.
“These are localised rather than bureaucratised plans, providing crucial insights into health priorities for actual populations. From here, they will also ensure local voices are heard and integrated into our broader health strategy
“These plans are not just documents. they are living frameworks to guide our efforts to better address specific health challenges faced by Māori communities.
“Their prioritisation of local needs means agencies can take meaningful steps towards reducing actual health inequities. Through engagement with local whānau, IMPBs have been able to identify specific priorities and actions in addition to the Government’s overarching health targets.
“Examples of these priorities include access to oral health care, suicide prevention and growing the Māori health workforce.
“The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora, Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora and Iwi Māori Partnership Boards will now work cohesively to finalise the plans, support the relevant IMPBs, and begin implementation over the next three to five years.
“The plans will become the base for IMPBs being able to act on their strategic commissioning role, however it remains important to recognise that each IMPB is currently at a different level of capacity for delivery.
“This year’s 2024/25 budget increase of an additional $40 million per annum through Health NZ will contribute to addressing hauora Māori provider inflation pressures and continued service provision to Māori communities.
“I look forward to the positive impact these plans will have on the health priorities of Māori communities and the ongoing collaboration with all stakeholders to achieve our shared goals,” Dr Reti says.
Once finalised, the Community Health Plans will be published on the IMPB and Health New Zealand websites.
Original Article posted on the Beehive Website: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/milestone-iwi-m%C4%81ori-partnership-boards