The Ministry of Health has established a by Māori for Māori advisory group to bring robust leadership to the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan, with a focus on achieving equitable outcomes.
About the Smokefree Taskforce
Smokefree 2025 Taskforce members are based across Aotearoa and will offer critical insights, expertise and local knowledge to help the smokefree actions respond to needs and opportunities at both community and regional levels
Through evaluation, monitoring and reporting, the taskforce will ensure the Ministry of Health, Government and the tobacco control sector remain accountable for delivery of the actions in the plan that will help to end the inequities in health caused by higher smoking prevalence among Māori.
The taskforce will meet at least quarterly at a frequency agreed by the Chair and the Director-General.
It’s expected much of the work of the taskforce will be completed by the end of 2025 in line with the 2025 smokefree goal. The taskforce may exist beyond 2025 to provide further expertise around monitoring and evaluation of performance
Smokefree Taskforce members
Dame Tariana Turia DNZM, Whanganui
Hone Harawira, Kaitaia
Nan Wehipeihana, Wellington
Donna Matahaere-Atariki MNZM, Dunedin
Selah Hart, Auckland
Work programme
The taskforce will work closely with the Ministry of Health leadership across a number of key areas:
- Programme planning
- Providing input on the key milestones and metrics that will hold the Ministry of Health and sector to account and provide assurance that performance is on track to meet Government expectations over the next four years
- Monitoring progress against milestones and metrics
- Engaging with iwi, hapū, whānau, communities, the health sector and other sectors about the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan
- Maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders including the Associate Minister of Health
- Providing assurance about the capacity and capability of the Ministry of Health to deliver on the above.
It’s expected much of the work of the taskforce will be complete by the end of 2025 in line with the 2025 smokefree goal. The taskforce may exist beyond 2025 to provide further expertise around monitoring and evaluation of performance.