Manatū Hauora has released the Health and Independence Report 2024 – Te Pūrongo mō te Hauora me te Tū Motuhake. This annual report provides a picture of how the health system is performing and how whānau across Aotearoa are faring.
For Māori, the report confirms what many whānau already know: health outcomes remain inequitable. Māori continue to experience shorter life expectancy, higher rates of chronic illness, and greater barriers to accessing care. Tamariki Māori are less likely to be immunised, rangatahi are more likely to experience psychological distress, and too many whānau are avoiding care due to cost or long wait times.
There is also good news. Smoking rates among Māori have dropped significantly, more Māori are entering the health workforce, and the gap in life expectancy is narrowing. Kaupapa Māori services are reaching thousands of whānau, tamariki are being breastfed at higher rates, and more whānau are reporting positive experiences in the health system.
Te Kāhui Hauora will continue working with health authorities to ensure whānau Māori are afforded a health system which is equitable and fit for purpose. It is clear that we cannot allow the same system-led approaches to pae ora.