Māori health strategy

He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy sets the overarching framework that guides the Government and the health and disability sector to achieve the best health outcomes for Māori.

Whakapapa of He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy

He Korowai Oranga was published in 2002 to establish a new direction for Māori health development in the health and disability system. The initial aim of He Korowai Oranga was whānau ora (Māori families supported to achieve their maximum health and wellbeing).

Whakatātaka: Māori Health Action Plan 2002–2005 is a companion publication to He Korowai Oranga, framing DHB policies and programmes as they set out to fulfil their responsibilities in relation to achieving the aims of whānau ora.

Whakatātaka Tuarua: Māori Health Action Plan 2006–2011 is also a companion publication to He Korowai Oranga, building on the gains from Whakatātaka 2002–2005.

The refresh of He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy 2014 was a refresh of the original He Korowai Oranga to ensure its relevance for the future.

Pae ora (health futures for Māori) is the Government’s vision and aim for the refreshed strategy. Pae ora encourages everyone in the health and disability system to work collaboratively, to think beyond narrow definitions of health and to provide high-quality and effective services.

It builds on the initial foundation of whānau ora (healthy Māori families) to include mauri ora (healthy Māori individuals) and wai ora (healthy environments).

Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020–2025 gives practical effect to He Korowai Oranga 2014. The plan is underpinned by Te Tiriti and the principles of tino rangatiratanga, equity, active protection, options and partnership.

The plan outlines a suite of high-level outcomes, objectives, priority areas, actions and measures to monitor progress over a 5-year period. It provides an important focus for Māori health development. It is a living document with the ability to evolve to meet existing and emerging health and wellbeing needs and achieve the aims of He Korowai Oranga.

Whakamaua is underpinned by the Ministry’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi Framework, which provides a tool for the health and disability system to fulfil its stewardship obligations and special relationship between Māori and the Crown.

Whakamaua outlines a suite of actions that will help to achieve 4 high-level outcomes.

Iwi, hapū, whānau and Māori communities exercising their authority to improve their health and wellbeing.
Ensuring the health and disability system is fair and sustainable and delivers more equitable outcomes for Māori.
Addressing racism and discrimination in all its forms.
Protecting mātauranga Māori throughout the health and disability system.

This direction is supported by the final report of the Health and Disability System Review.

Whakamaua has been shaped by feedback provided through an extensive engagement process. Whatua: Engagement for the development the Māori Health Action Plan 2020-2025 has been published as a companion document to Whakamaua – giving visibility to the voices of Māori communities and the health and disability sector. This report provides a summary of key themes from the Ministry’s engagement process with key stakeholders in 2019.

The Ministry will measure and report progress regularly as Whakamaua is implemented.

Te ao Māori framework

The Health Quality & Safety Commission has developed a Te ao Māori framework in partnership with Māori health providers, Whānau Ora providers and participating district health boards across Aotearoa New Zealand.

The aim of the framework is to improve the quality of care afforded to whānau Māori across Aotearoa New Zealand and advance the uptake and implementation of te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori concepts into general health system design and health practice for all.

Find out more here: Te ao Māori framework