The health system must work well for all New Zealanders, including Māori.
As the majority of Māori continue to receive most of their health care from mainstream services, considerable effort is required to ensure that mainstream services make it a priority to reduce the health inequalities that affect Māori and to work effectively for Māori. One example includes the recent focus on transforming the disability support system to give disabled Māori more choice and control over their supports and their lives, encapsulated by the vision of Enabling Good Lives.
Within the health and disability sector, efforts need to focus on reducing risk, strengthening prevention and more effectively managing disease and long-term conditions, as well as improving overall Māori health and disability outcomes.
DHBs are required to produce an annual Māori Health Plan, which includes a focus on activities that will strengthen the performance of mainstream services for Māori. For example, some Māori Health Plans prioritise Māori as a population group for screening programmes and also include the development of culturally appropriate referral pathways.
Te Ara Tuatoru in practice
Bilingual signage wins an award in Taranaki
‘Part of the challenge of improving Māori health is about making services more inviting for Māori.’
An initiative by Taranaki DHB to increase the visibility of te reo Māori on the hospital grounds and campus with bilingual signage has been recognised with an award by the Māori Language Commission.
It’s a great example of a DHB championing effective service delivery for Māori. Read more
Whānau-centred care in Whanganui
‘The need has been driven by the community and, as providers, we’ve worked together to find ways to remove barriers and respond to those needs.’
Whanganui DHB places whānau at the centre of service delivery. In this story, they discuss the benefits of working with their regional health network and whānau navigators to improve Māori health outcomes.
It’s a great example of a DHB working in innovative ways towards effective service delivery. Read more
More information
DHB Māori Health Plans 2014/15
Each district health board (DHB) is required to produce an annual Māori Health Plan as a sub-set of the Annual Plan. These focus on key indicators for Māori morbidity and mortality. The most recent plan for each DHB and the most recent Māori Health Needs Assessments are available through this link.
Palliative Care and Māori from a Health Literacy Perspective
The report summarises 2 recent research reports. It focuses on gaining a better understanding of Māori experience of palliative care and issues of access.