Critical focus on hauora Māori must be sustained

He hauora – he taonga: our health is our most precious thing.

GPNZ is saddened and disappointed at the move to disestablish Te Aka Whai Ora with a Bill introduced in Parliament under urgency. While the direction of the coalition Government was clearly signalled, it is nevertheless frustrating to see the untimely end of an entity that provided a vital focus for improving equity and health outcomes for Māori.

Just last week the latest Aoteraroa Health Status Report confirmed the persistent inequitable health outcomes faced by whānau Māori. Te Aka Whai Ora has provided vital leadership for efforts to address those inequities and that leadership must not be lost.

As an organisation committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, GPNZ hopes to see Te Aka Whai Ora’s focus on equity, access and outcomes for Māori sustained in Te Whatu Ora and Manatū Hauora.

Our thoughts are with the staff of Te Aka Whai Ora for the uncertainty ahead, and we thank them for all their mahi.