Responsibility for abortion services sits across Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand and Manatū Hauora – the Ministry of Health.
On 1 July 2022, when New Zealand moved to a new national health system, three new agencies were stood up: Te Whatu Ora Health NZ, Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority and Whaikaha Ministry for Disabled People. Manatū Hauora’s role as chief steward of Aotearoa New Zealand’s health and disability system has been strengthened.
The abortion services programme extends across Manatū Hauora and Te Whatu Ora. Manatū Hauora continues to focus on policy, data and regulation while commissioning, workforce and service planning now sit with Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora. The abortion services work will intersect with Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People and will ensure that links are established and maintained.
The transformed health system will uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and focus on health equity.
The Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard NZS 8134:2021 defines the updates to the quality and safety requirements for the provision of included services in New Zealand. Ngā Paerewa reflects the shift towards more person- and whānau-centred health and disability services. People are empowered to make decisions about their own care and support in order to achieve their goals, with a stronger focus on outcomes for people receiving support.
Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability services standard 8134:2021 and the corresponding Sector Guidance for Abortion Services provides a suite of information about best practice abortion provision.