The Maternity Action Plan is a key health action under the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy 2019, along with the review of Well Child Tamariki Ora. Budget 2020 delivered a $242 million boost for mothers and maternity services which included $35 million to implement the Maternity Action Plan.
The Maternity Action Plan was developed following consultation in 2018 to deliver maternity sector improvement priorities.
The health landscape of New Zealand has significantly shifted since 2018. The current Maternity Action Plan does not reflect the Crown’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments. It does not cover the breadth of public health action needed to support child and youth wellbeing. In its current form, it will not achieve equitable outcomes for whānau Māori, Pacific peoples and other populations that are disadvantaged by our current maternity system.
The Maternity Action Plan is being refocused for its final two years. The refocused Maternity Action Plan will be developed through a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-based partnership with sector and other stakeholders. It will align with the strategic directions set out in Whakamaua – Māori Health Action Plan 2020- 2025 (Whakamaua) and Ola Manuia – Pacific Health and Wellbeing Action Plan 2020-2025 (Ola Manuia).
In line with Cabinet office circular CO18(4), this material is being released with redactions under section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the OIA to maintain the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials.
