Māori Health Authority disestablishment creates disadvantages

Māori have been disadvantaged in the health care system for generations. A year and a half ago, a government review agreed and established the Māori Health Authority. 

But it hasn’t lasted long as Parliament passed an urgent bill last month to disestablish the Māori Health Authority, with the aim to make healthcare ‘equal’.  

Māori Albany student, Matthew Rope said, “Equal for all doesn’t mean that our most disadvantaged and historically disenfranchised people have the same slice of pie as everyone else.” 

The disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority disregards the history between Māori and Pakeha in Aotearoa. 

“There’s a history of mistrust with Māori and health and if this bill is being removed this government hasn’t put anything in place to replace it, so what exactly are we [Māori] going back to because we are only going to see more of the same history we had.” 

A letter was signed by more than 700 doctors last month, asking the minister of health how he planned to continue prioritising Māori health. 

However, there has been no talk of replacing the authority.  

“You can’t solve one hundred fifty years of mistrust and doubt in eighteen months, that's wishful thinking,” Rope said.