Māori Health Policy for He Oranga Pounamu
Treaty of Waitangi and Māori Health Policy
The Treaty of Waitangi establishes the unique and special relationship between iwi Māori and the Crown. As an iwi mandated organisation He Oranga Pounamu considers the Treaty of Waitangi principles of partnership, proactive protection of Māori health interests, co-operation and utmost good faith, to be implicit conditions of the nature in which the internal organisation of He Oranga Pounamu responds to Māori Health issues.
Equally He Oranga Pounamu shall require that these principles shall be explicitly expressed in contracts between He Oranga Pounamu and subcontracted providers.
Māori Health Priority
He Oranga Pounamu recognizes Māori health is a specifically identified health gain priority area as outlined in the NZ Health Strategy, the NZ Disability Strategy and He Korowai Oranga.
He Oranga Pounamu recognises that reducing disparities between Māori and non-Māori health status is the overarching goal for Māori health.
The 9 population health targets to achieve this overarching goal for Māori health include addressing Māori health status associated with;
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improving immunisation coverage
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improving oral health
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improving elective services
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educing cancer waiting times
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reducing ambulatory sensitive (avoidable) hospital admission
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improving diabetes services
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improving mental health services
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improving nutrition, increasing physical activity and reducing obesity
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reducing harm caused by tobacco
He Oranga Pounamu is committed to support and develop the Māori health service provider network in the Ngai Tahu rohe to contribute towards achieving these 9 population health targets.
He Oranga Pounamu is a Māori Development Organisation and does not deliver clinical health services.
Therefore He Oranga Pounamu will contribute to achieving the 9 population health targets through the following strategies;
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supporting Māori to identify and provide for their own health needs
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supporting Māori health workforce development
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supporting Māori health service providers in their contracting processes
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monitoring service delivery quality and reporting
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working with non-Māori organisations to improve their service delivery to Māori
He Oranga Pounamu also views health as a component of 'whanau hauora'. Therefore, He Oranga Pounamu also works with other social sectors to minimize negative health determinants through an integrated service delivery approach. Other sector interests include employment, housing, social services and justice.
