The Updated COVID-19 Māori Health Response Plan (the Plan) builds on the progress made by the Initial COVID-19 Māori Response Action Plan and provides an updated framework to protect, prevent, and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 within whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori communities.
This Plan responds to a range of feedback received since the release of the initial plan and adjusts the strategic approach against the Government’s evolving approach to COVID-19. The Plan is aligned with and contributes to the broader health and disability COVID-19 response. This ensures that the COVID-19 response for Māori health remains strategically focused and is integrated across the broader health and disability system response. This Plan also makes an important contribution to the all-of-government response to COVID-19 in mitigating the social impact of COVID-19 on whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori communities.
The updated Plan will guide health and disability system action throughout the COVID-19 response – building on the activity to fight the virus and cushioning the blow, while beginning to position for longer-term recovery. In addition to this Plan, Māori health COVID-19 activity will be supported by Whakamaua: the Māori Health Action Plan 2020–2025 (Whakamaua). Whakamaua has been developed through an extensive consultation process and will guide Māori health action over the next five years, with implementation beginning over the next few months. Whakamaua gives practical effect to He Korowai Oranga: the Māori Health Strategy and its overarching vision of Pae Ora – healthy futures for Māori. Further updates on the process to implement Whakamaua can be found at Māori Health Action Plan.
An overview of the Ministry’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity statements are attached as Appendix 1, and the Ministry of Health’s draft Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework is attached as Appendix 2.
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