About the reforms of the health sector

In May 2018, the Government announced an independent review of the health and disability system. The review was intended “to identify opportunities to improve the performance, structure, and sustainability of the system with a goal of achieving equity of outcomes, and contributing to wellness for all, particularly Māori and Pacific peoples”.

The review’s full report was released on 16 June 2020. In response to the review, the Government announced major reforms to the health system in April 2021.

After a change in Government, legislation was passed to disestablish the Māori Health Authority | Te Aka Whai Ora after two years in operation, as at 30 June 2024. Most of its functions were transferred to Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Health.

Setting up Te Whatu Ora to replace district health boards

The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 disestablished all 20 district health boards (DHBs) and merged their functions (and assets) into a new organisation, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, on 1 July 2022.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Māori Health Authority | Te Aka Whai Ora were established to run or commission New Zealand’s publicly funded health services. They have responsibility for a significant aspect of New Zealanders’ well-being and government spending. The Māori Health Authority | Te Aka Whai Ora was disestablished on 30 June 2024.

What the reforms aim to achieve

The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 objectives include:

• Protect, promote, and improve the health of all New Zealanders.
• Achieve equity in health outcomes among New Zealand’s population groups, including by striving to eliminate health disparities, particularly for Māori.
• Build towards pae ora (healthy futures) for all New Zealanders.

The data we provide

We are providing seven years of performance information from the former DHBs. This information provides a baseline for comparison during the transition to a new health system.

We will provide financial and service performance information for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Māori Health Authority | Te Aka Whai Ora as it becomes available and has been audited.

Page updated: 31 July 2024