New Zealand health and disability system reform

It’s currently business as usual at Auckland DHB as we continue to care for our patients and community – we’re here when you need us.

This morning Minister of Health Andrew Little announced changes affecting the future of the New Zealand health system.

The changes are in response to the Health and Disability System Review (HDSR), which found the public health system was under stress and that a greater emphasis on primary healthcare had the greatest potential to improve New Zealanders’ health.

The reforms include:

• All 20 district health boards replaced with a new Crown entity, Health New Zealand, which will be responsible for running hospitals and commissioning primary and community health services. It will have four regional divisions.
• Responsibility for public health issues will rest with a new Public Health Authority, and a new Māori Health Authority will monitor the state of Māori health and have the ability to commission services directly.
• The system will be overseen by a strengthened Ministry of Health, which will also advise the Government on policy matters.

The reforms will be phased in over three years, to make sure existing services – including the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme – are not disrupted.

Find out more about the new health system().

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