We're reviewing the Ngā paerewa Health and disability services standard and invite people and organisations to give their feedback.
View the Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standards consultation.
On this page
-
…
About the Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard
As of 28 February 2022, the updated Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard NZS 8134:2021 is in effect. This standard outlines the quality and safety requirements for a wide range of health and disability services in Aotearoa 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.
It adopts a modular certification framework, meaning that service providers are only audited against the sections and criteria relevant to the services they offer. This approach ensures flexibility and relevance, allowing providers to demonstrate compliance in a way that aligns with their specific context.
Each of the six sections in the standard is outcome-focussed, emphasizing the results of care and support rather than prescribing rigid processes. This structure supports innovation and responsiveness, especially in meeting the needs of Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
The outcome statements have been updated to reflect a partnership model between service providers and the people and whānau who use their services. This includes a stronger emphasis on cultural safety, equity, and responsiveness to Māori.
To explore more about how these outcome statements and the associated People statements were developed, you can visit the Ministry of Health page: About the Ngā Paerewa Standards Review.
Ngā Paerewa is available on the Standards New Zealand website.
Who needs to meet Ngā Paerewa
Under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001, the following service providers are required to comply with Ngā Paerewa:
- primary birthing centres
- hospices
- overnight hospital inpatient services (public and private)
- age-related residential care
- residential addiction services
- mental health services
- disability services
- fertility services.
Additionally, the standard is suitable for use by home and community support services and abortion service providers.
What this standard replaces
Ngā Paerewa NZS 8134:2021 replaces several previous standards, including:
- Health and Disability Services Standards (NZS 8134:2008)
- Fertility Services Standard (NZS 8181:2007)
- Home and Community Support Sector Standards (NZS 8158:2012)
- Interim Standards for Abortion Services in New Zealand.
