Welcome to day one of our new health and disability system.
What an exciting time to be part of this opportunity to create better health care and equitable health outcomes for all New Zealanders.
It feels appropriate that we start this new journey together during Matariki, as it signals new beginnings as well as respect for our past.
We want to begin by not only welcoming you to the start of the transformation of our new system, but thanking all of you for your mahi over this time of transformation and your dedication, in particular over the last two years as we’ve dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic.
As we are all too aware, we need a system that works for everyone and where all New Zealanders have better access to, and outcomes from, health services.
This much-needed transformation will not be achieved without you – a valued member of our health system, and we thank you.
You won’t necessarily see a lot of change today. This is very much the start, and the transformation of the health system as a whole will take some years.
But that change – over time – will help bring New Zealanders the healthcare they need to support their health and wellbeing, no matter where they live or who they are.
While we all have different roles to play in the new system, the core direction and outcomes will be consistent to ensure everyone is working towards common goals that matter for our people and whānau.
- Manatū Hauora is the chief steward of the health system leading health across government, providing coherent system-level leadership and driving system strategy and performance. It is the Government’s primary advisor on health, priority setting, policy and system performance, and regulates the health system. It also contains the new Public Health Agency, is the principal source of horizon scanning and government-level leadership, and regulates the health system.
- Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand leads the day-to-day running of the health system and unites the 20 District Health Boards, shared services agencies and Te Hiringa Hauora under one national organisation. It leads and coordinates delivery of health services, coordinating efforts across the motu, including hospital and specialist services, the new National Public Health Service, clinical governance, and community services including primary and community care.
- Te Aka Whai Ora – the Māori Health Authority, working in partnership with Manatū Hauora and Te Whatu Ora, is responsible for ensuring the health system delivers equitable outcomes for Māori, and has been set up as an independent statutory authority to drive improvement in hauora Māori.
By working together, we can make sure our health system is one truly fit for future generations.
We have a big challenge ahead of us, and it is not a task to be taken lightly.
But we have confidence in all of your skills and experience and look forward to seeing the difference we are able to make to the lives of all New Zealanders.
Ko tō tātou waka, he waka eke noa | We are all in this together, without exception.
Nā mātou iti nei
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| Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Manatū Hauora | Margie Apa, Te Whatu Ora | Riana Manuel, Te Aka Whai Ora |
