Sir Mason Durie the first Māori Health Authority appointment

Friday, 7 May 2021

Health Minister Andrew Little announces the plan to abolish the 20 DHBs in April.

Māori health pioneer Sir Mason Durie is the Government's first appointment for the incoming Māori Health Authority.

Durie will spearhead the steering group, which would consult with Māori about possible candidates for the authority’s board and advise ministers on the potential appointments. The group would also advise on how the authority should be governed and be held accountable.

“Tā (Sir) Mason is a pillar of the New Zealand health system and brings tremendous experience and mana to this crucial role,” Health Minister Andrew Little said, in a statement issued on Friday.

The Māori Health Authority, which has been politically contentious this week, was a key aspect of sweeping health reforms announced by then Government in April.

Sir Mason Durie, who became a Member of the Order of New Zealand in December, has been appointed to the head of a steering group that will advise on the creation of a Māori Health Authority.

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The Government has promised to create a new health authority, Health New Zealand, that will replace the country’s district health board. The Māori Health Authority would be independent of Health New Zealand, have “joint decision-making rights” and command of spending on programmes for Māori – who are currently chronically underserved by the healthcare system.

Durie has been a transformational Māori health leader since the 1980s, according to the citation accompanying him becoming a Member of the Order of New Zealand in December.

His extensive resume includes his position as emeritus professor of Māori research and development, serving on the board of Te Papa, a stint as families commissioner, and time as chair of a ministerial taskforce on Whānau Ora.

Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare said it was right that Durie assist the Government with setting up the authority.

“The authority will give Māori a voice and influence in how our system needs to perform better for Maori. I can’t think of anyone who is better qualified or has greater mana in this area than Tā Mason,” he said, in the statement.

Henare said he hoped to confirm appointments to the authority’s interim board by September 1.