WBOPPHO received with disappointment the passing of the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Act 2026 in July. It reduces the statutory provisions for equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi that sat at the heart of the 2022 legislation, and resets the purpose, objectives and functions of Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand.
WBOPPHO’s submission was one of 1,787 received on the Bill. We joined the majority of submitters in opposing the proposed changes. Our submission called for the Bill to be abandoned, warning that it would weaken the legal foundations for equity and Te Tiriti, move away from the Waitangi Tribunal’s Wai 2575 recommendations and reduce Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards to an advisory role.
The Act does introduce timely access to quality health services as a purpose. WBOPPHO supports this goal, but access and equity cannot be separated. Timely, quality care must reach the communities that continue to experience the greatest barriers.
The WBOPPHO Board has since confirmed that the organisation’s commitment remains unchanged. WBOPPHO’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Equity Position Statements remain in place and continue to guide our mahi. This includes improving Māori health outcomes and supporting general practice to strengthen access and culturally responsive care.
