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Our vision
Our vision for the health system is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders, with a focus on population groups with the greatest health needs.
The 6 Pae Ora Strategies set out how this vision will be achieved.
Our role
The Ministry of Health is the steward of New Zealand’s health system and the lead advisor to the government on health.
As steward we have 4 major roles: leading, advising, assessing and convening.
Leading
We support Ministers to set and maintain strategic direction and policy for health. We lead Māori–Crown relations for the health sector and champion our shared obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Advising
We are the principal advisor to the government and its agencies on health and the determinants of health. We use insights to give advice on legislative, regulatory, budgetary, policy and outcome settings.
Assessing
We assess health outcomes, trends and how effective investment is in achieving pae ora (healthy futures). We monitor the performance and integrity of the health system and health entities, including Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
Convening
We collaborate across the health sector and with other government agencies and non-government partners to promote health and wellbeing. We engage with people, whānau and communities to hear their voices, experiences and aspirations.
Find out about New Zealand’s health system.
Our priorities
Our priorities are to:
- provide system-level leadership
- drive system strategy and performance
- advise the government on health priorities, policy and how the system is performing
- future-proof the health system and take a government-level leadership role
- regulate the health system to make sure it delivers better health outcomes and equity for all.
Our functions
The Ministry of Health has 5 core functions.
- Strategy: Setting the vision, direction, aims and objectives for the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders and the health system.
- Policy: Using engagement, evidence, design thinking and innovation to translate strategy into tools, rules, requirements and legislation.
- Monitoring: Providing assurance on how the health system is performing, and monitoring entities in the system.
- Regulation: Ensuring public safety by regulating health providers, services and therapeutic products.
- Data and analytics: Informing strategy and decision-making, and driving innovation, with high-quality intelligence, surveillance, research, evidence and science advice.
Core functions are supported by the Ministry’s enabling functions. These help us uphold the conventions of New Zealand’s system of government and the public service.
Find out about Ministry of Health directorates.
Our commitment to Te Tiriti
As kaitiaki of the health system, the Ministry of Health is responsible for ensuring it:
- meets its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- addresses Māori health aspirations
- achieves equity and pae ora (healthy futures) for Māori.
We lead Māori–Crown relationships for the health sector and facilitate Waitangi Tribunal processes. We are continuing to grow our understanding and confidence in Te Tiriti, equity and te ao Māori, including te reo Māori and mātauranga Māori, through our Whāinga Amorangi action plan.
Our Tiriti o Waitangi framework sets out our goals for Māori health and Te Tiriti principles for the health system.
