Māori Health Authority Te Aka Whai Ora chief executive Riana Manuel has been encouraged by her initial meetings with the Minister of Health, Shane Reti.
Manuel says as a former Northland general practitioner Reti knows what grassroots looks like for Māori, and he’s keen to continue with the iwi-Māori partnershipboards which have been a big part of the Māori Health Authority’s mahi in its first year.
Manuel said Reti has made it clear Te Aka Whai Ora will be disestablished, but has promised to focus on need.
“I’m so encouraged by Minister Reti and Minister [Matt] Doocey’s commitment to Māori health, particularly with Māori mental health, and those core things we have been working on, our immunisation programme, and we’re looking forward to supporting that kind of commitment going forward because the work doesn’t stop,” Manuel told Waatea.News.Com.
Riana Manuel has been appointed chief executive of the Māori Health Authority. Photo / Supplied
“To do that we have to move decision-making and funding as close to the home, as close to the hapū as possible. The difference in philosophy on where we want to go and where the Māori Health Authority was going was why was all that funding held in Wellington with a Wellington-knows-best approach?
“I think the hapū probably know what’s best for their communities.
“My dream is to devolve decision making and funding and give to mana motuhake [self-determination], as close to the home and hapū as possible.”
