Since 2018, just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ardern - Labour Party administration had been in the process of reforming the health sector on a large scale. This reform was aimed at improving the health equity of Māori and Pasifika people, who seem to experience health-vulnerability. In spite of the health sector reforms since 2000, the Waitangi Tribunal considered that there were several breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi occurring in the primary health system and the District Health Boards governance. Though the government set out to reform the health sector in response to the recommendations made by the Waitangi Tribunal, the COVID-19 pandemic weakened the development in the health sector reform, resulting in multiple inequalities for Māori health. Te Aka Whai Ora: Māori Health Authority established newly under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 embedded the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi was disestablished by the National- led government. Though it seems difficult to achieve equality in the health sector for Māori, I intend to pay close attention to local initiatives the rebuild of the health system in NZ, especially the work of Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPB) that continue their community-level work.
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