7. Hon MITA RIRINUI (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What steps, if any, is the Government taking to improve the health and well-being of Māori whānau?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
The statement of intent for the Ministry of Health reflects the steps being taken to support whānau to achieve their maximum health and well-being, and I refer the member to that document. We are moving to a much stronger focus on outcomes, rather than on a lot of activities. We want to empower whānau and providers to identify what will bring wellness to those communities, rather than have a more top-down, prescribed approach.
In the light of that answer, does the Minister still intend to reallocate $1 billion to the whānau ora fund; if so, how does he reconcile that with the comments of the Minister for Social Development and Employment, Paula Bennett, on Q+A this weekend, when she stated that she does not “envisage us carving off a billion dollars from the welfare, from certainly social development to go into that sort of scheme”?
I think the important point in respect of whānau ora is that we are currently in the midst of developing work on it. The Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia is working very closely with her group, which is led by Professor Durie. Work is going on with Māori public health organisations and other providers about how whānau ora can make a big difference to whānau.
Does he agree with Taitimu Maipi, the chairman of Hauora Raukura o Tainui—one of the original architects of whānau ora—who stated that it was important to foster the provision of health services to Māori by Māori, because it increased their rate of participation; if so, why is he allowing the Waitemata District Health Board and the Auckland District Health Board to cut over half a million dollars from Māori provider development?
It is true that the Counties Manukau District Health Board has carried out a major review of its contracts, using a systematic approach that aims to put funds closest to the front line and reduce duplication. I am advised that that approach has freed up enough money for it to increase service contracts by Māori for Māori overall by 42 percent this year.
Rahui KateneThe Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia is working very hard to achieve real gains and improved outcomes for Māori. She recognises that it requires the resources and application of all those involved—not only those in the public health service but also those in other parts of public service delivery, such as welfare and education. The Associate Minister has asked the Ministry of Health to monitor health and disability services for Māori, and, in particular, to focus on reducing the incidence and impact of cancer for Māori; ensuring high-quality interventions for diabetes and cardiovascular conditions; early detection and screening; and quality, integrated public health services.
Has he received any other reports from other Ministers who are not prepared to help fund the Associate Minister’s $1 billion whānau ora fund by making cuts in their own areas?
I can advise the member that I have been working closely with a number of our colleagues—the Minister of Education and the Minister for Social Development and Employment, together with the Associate Minister—to advance whānau ora, because it is a move away from the patronising, dictatorial, Wellington-knows-best approach that we saw from that member and his failed Government, towards an approach that is prepared to empower whānau to take responsibility for their health and welfare.