As a department of the public service, the Ministry of Health has a responsibility to support the way the health system understands, reacts, responds to and addresses racism. Eliminating all forms of racism is critical to achieving health equity and the vision of pae ora – healthy futures for all New Zealanders.
This position statement is a declarative step for the Ministry; it formally outlines the Ministry’s position on racism, and signals expectations for the broader health system to take collective action against all forms of racism and racial health inequity.
The position statement includes a set of evidence-informed working definitions for racism and anti-racism that are fit for the Aotearoa context. It is underpinned by the Evolution of Racism and Anti-Racism – Lessons for the Aotearoa NZ Health System literature review.
The position statement and working definitions are an important first step for promoting collective responsibility and enabling the necessary dialogue to take action against racism and understand what effective anti-racism action looks like. Together, we can create an anti-racist and equitable health system in Aotearoa.
This position statement has been developed as part of phase one of Ao Mai te Rā: the Anti-Racism Kaupapa. You can learn more about this initiative at Ao Mai te Rā | The Anti-Racism Kaupapa.
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Publishing information
- Publication date
- Citation
Ministry of Health. 2022. Position statement and working definitions for racism and anti-racism in the health system in Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
- HP number
- 8508
- Copyright status
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Owned by the Ministry of Health and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
