MEDIA RELEASE
Select Committee Ignores Overwhelming Public Opposition to Health Bill
Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua Charitable Trust Board expresses deep disappointment and concern at the majority decision of the Health Select Committee to proceed with the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill, despite overwhelming public opposition and clear evidence of harm to democratic process.
The Health Select Committee’s own report confirms that the vast majority of submission, across Māori organisations, health sector groups, professional associations, and community advocates, opposed the Bill in its entirety. Submitters consistently warned that the proposed amendments would undermine Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, strip away equity principles, and dismantle mechanisms designed to address longstanding health inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Despite receiving 1,787 written submissions and hearing oral evidence from 97 submitters, the majority of the Health Committee has chosen to ignore the clear consensus of the public and sector experts and recommended that the Bill proceed through the legislative process.
The Committee’s recommendations are largely technical, failing to address the substantive concerns raised by Māori, Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs), and the wider health sector.
The Bill proceeds with only minor amendments, leaving its core direction unchanged. “This outcome raises serious questions about the integrity of our democratic process”, said Danielle Harris, Board Chairperson.
“When the voices of Māori, health professionals, and community leaders are so clearly united in opposition, yet are disregarded by the Crown, it undermines trust in government and the legitimacy of the legislative process.”
The Board is particularly alarmed that the Bill continues a pattern of legislative erosion that began with the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora and further breaching Te Tiriti o Waitangi by removing mechanisms for Māori authority in health governance.
Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua Charitable Trust Board calls on Parliament to respect the will of the people, uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, and restore genuine partnership and accountability in the health system.
ENDS
For further information, contact:
Sen Thong
Communications Lead
Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua
0220761358
sen.thong@tepaeoranga.org.nz
About Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua Charitable Trust:
Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua is an iwi-mandated Charitable Trust representing mana whenua, mātāwaka, and tangata whaikaha across the Mid-Central rohe, with a responsibility to advocate for the hauora aspirations of approximately 44,000 Māori. Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua Charitable Trust also holds statutory functions as the Iwi-Māori Partnership Board for this region.
About Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards
IMPBs are representatives connected with and appointed by their communities because they are best placed to understand the needs of whānau, hapū and iwi in their respective regions, working to a future of pae ora (good health).
IMPBs’ role is to listen to the health needs and priorities of Māori communities, and work to meet these with government and the health sector.