‘Pillar of NZ health system’ has key role in new M¯aori Health Authority

Ta¯ (Sir) Mason Durie has been appointed to a key role in shaping the new Ma¯ori Health Authority.

The announcement comes after a week of heated debate in Parliament about the authority, which National leader Judith Collins and deputy Dr Shane Reti have labelled “separatism”.

Durie, who has spent over 40 years advocating for Ma¯ori and public health, will lead a group advising the Government in establishing the authority.

Minister of Health Andrew Little said the group would ensure Ma¯ori shaped a “vital element of our future health system”.

“Ta¯ Mason is a pillar of the New Zealand health system and brings tremendous experience and mana to this crucial role.

“The place of the Ma¯ori Health Authority in the future health system is important not only for Ma¯ori, but for all New Zealanders.

“Ta¯ Mason’s appointment is a significant step in the reform programme as we seek to deliver better outcomes for all, in partnership.”

The authority, announced as part of a range of health reforms by Little in April, has been the subject of much scrutiny.

The blueprint says the authority would be the lead commissioner of health services targeted at Ma¯ori

and “act as co-commission for other health services accessed by Ma¯ori, working jointly with Health NZ to approve commissioning plans and priorities”.

This element of Ma¯ori having a say over funding decisions and socalled “veto” powers around general health decisions have been the target of vehement criticism from National leader Judith Collins, who likened it to “separatism”.

Little has defended functions of the authority, saying it represented partnership, a key principle of the Treaty of Waitangi, and was vital for Ma¯ori to turn around hugely inequitable health outcomes, including the fact Ma¯ori die on average seven years earlier than non-ma¯ori.

Under questioning from National in the House, Little said the proposal wasn’t for two different systems — but for one system with two partners who will have to agree.

He said each partner was independent — the Ma¯ori Health Authority would provide leadership for their people and issues — but they were not in competition because it was one system as a whole with a common endeavour for a healthy New Zealand.

“The performance of the health system is leaving Ma¯ori woefully behind and that’s not acceptable anymore.”

He cited the Treaty

principles about partnership and equality.

“That is what we must strive for.”

Debates over the authority between Collins and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during question time in the House became heated at times.

After avoiding answering questions around the “veto” powers, Collins said: “If she’s so concerned about using the term ‘veto’, then why is it in the health Cabinet paper that her minister took to Cabinet, and why did he say yesterday there are two vetoes?”

To which Ardern responded: “My question is why can the member not say the word ‘partnership’?”

Soon after Ma¯ori Party coleader Rawiri Waititi raised a point of order: “I’m wondering why two Pa¯keha¯ women are talking about Ma¯ori issues when they’re not talking to Ma¯ori themselves. There’s a room full of us.”

Durie’s role will be advising on leaders to provide “high quality governance support” to the interim Ma¯ori Health Authority, and on how it will be accountable to both the Government and to Ma¯ ori in driving improvement in hauora Ma¯ori, Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare said.

“He has spent his life working at the forefront of hauora Ma¯ori innovation — and so it is right that he help us ensure that the Ma¯ori Health Authority continues to be transformative.

“I can’t think of anyone who is better qualified or has greater mana in this area than Ta¯ Mason.”

The steering group will be in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and focus on appropriate board appointments with a mandate from Ma¯ori and advising governance and accountability arrangements.

Henare said the Government was aiming to confirm board members by September.

Durie, 82, was on Monday made a member of the exclusive Order of New Zealand at a ceremony at Government House in Wellington.