The Māori Health Authority has committed more than $71.6 million to what it says is its largest investment in improving Māori health outcomes yet.
An eyewatering $29.3m will go toward maternity and early childhood health, those with cancer, chronic health conditions or suffering from mental distress under the organisation’s interim Health Plan (Te Pae Tata), which aims to tackle the most quickly reversible poor health outcomes.
Some $13m will go to Māori primary and community providers to address historic underfunding while $17.6m is destined for te ao Māori solutions, mātauranga Māori, and population health initiatives.
So Māori are part of the design, delivery, and evaluation of health services, $11.7m will go to workforce development and ensuring a whānau voice.
Te Aka Whai Ora chairwoman Tipa Mahuta (Waikato, Maniapoto, Ngāpuhi) says the funding decisions are a response to immediate need as well as an investment in the future health of whānau, and sustainability of the Māori health sector; it is also the largest ever funding package for Māori providers.