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A new health system for Aotearoa New Zealand – Summary The new health system will be a single health service, with the Ministry of Health refocussed on strategy, policy, regulation and monitoring the outcomes which are achieved by the new system. A new body, Health New Zealand, will take over the planning and commissioning of services and the functions of the existing 20 District Health Boards to remove duplication and provide for national planning. A Māori Health Authority will work alongside Health NZ to improve services and achieve equitable health outcomes for Māori. Health New Zealand will be responsible for delivering care and managing services, including those currently led by DHBs and the Ministry of Health. Health NZ will oversee the performance of those services, drive improvement and innovation, and take steps to change services where necessary. It will work in partnership with the Māori Health Authority to ensure services are performing for Māori. Read more about Health New Zealand here. The Māori Health Authority will work with Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards, Māori health providers, iwi, hapū and Māori communities to understand Māori health needs across New Zealand. This will help strengthen kaupapa Māori services, build a stronger Māori workforce and provider network, as well as foster innovation in services and models that deliver better outcomes for Māori. Read more about the Māori Health Authority here. A new Public Health Agency within the Ministry of Health will be responsible for public health policy, strategy, monitoring and intelligence. It will help the system to better understand and respond to threats to public health and put evidence at the heart of policymaking. Health NZ will include a national public health service, bringing together the existing 12 Public Health Units into a single operational service. It will be better able to coordinate public health services, responses to threats like COVID-19 and measles outbreaks, and issues such as smoking. Read more about changes to public health services here.
Primary and Community Care General Practice services will no longer be funded through Primary Health Organisations. Primary and community services will be reorganised into localities with services delivered based on the needs and priorities of local communities. Communities, alongside Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards, will develop locality plans that set priorities for local health services. Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority will jointly commission services based on this plan to meet the needs of each locality. A range of providers will form part of a locality network with shared goals. Read more about the future delivery of primary and community care here.
When will the changes take effect? Find an Implementation Roadmap here. An overview and more factsheets about the new health system can be found on the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet website.
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