The New Zealand Health Strategy 2016: whither health equity?

Abstract

New Zealand's core health policy document-the New Zealand Health Strategy (NZHS)-was released in its final form in April 2016. This paper provides a critique of the strategy in particular, as it relates to health equity particularly for Māori. We introduce the five NZHS themes of-people powered, closer to home, value and high performance, one team and smart system-to focus on the aspirational goal of eliminating health inequities. Our critical framework is informed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We identified that the NZHS relies on the isolated efforts of committed individuals and organisations to achieve health equity and Te Tiriti engagement, rather than through a planned systems viewpoint. Evidence on health equity and Te Tiriti application suggests efforts need to be sustained, systematic and multi-levelled to be successful, rather than ad hoc and piecemeal.