The gap between healthcare experiences and outcomes of Māori and non-Māori was again highlighted by Health Minister Andrew Little in a recent speech preceding the announcement of radical public health reform. He stated that “We have to accept that the way our system presently delivers for Māori is inadequate. … Iwi and Māori communities are frequently consulted, but often in an advisory rather than decision-making capacity. … We must ensure partnership and effective iwi and Māori leadership at all levels.”
The New Zealand Health Group fully endorses this position, and continues to invest resources into working towards improving access and equity of healthcare for Māori. This continued investment includes appointing Ranei Wineera-Parai to Group Executive Cultural Advisor of New Zealand Health Group in March 2021.
Ranei will be consolidating the Group’s approaches to be an active and engaged Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner and help promote greater cultural confidence between the 30,000 people it supports around the country and the 12,000 health professionals it employs through its subsidiaries.
“There’s more work to be done to make sure our health system delivers equally for all New Zealanders, regardless of who they are and where they live in Aotearoa,”
says Ranei.
“We can achieve this through stronger partnerships with iwi and Māori leadership to ensure the Group’s home and community support, disability, rehabilitation, mental health, staffing, and training services are delivering adequately for Māori, especially those in rural areas. It is also vital to support Māori to exercise rangatiratanga over their own healthcare,”
adds Ranei.
Chief Executive of New Zealand Health Group, Josephine Gagan, says they’re investing in creating more access and equity for Māori through several initiatives led by Ranei. These projects aim to increase their workforce’s ability to provide equitable outcomes through good systems, policies, and clinical practice, so they can better serve the specific needs of Māori clients and their whānau.
Ranei brings over 20 years of experience working in primary healthcare and supporting cross-government agency service delivery improvements to address equity and works to ensure the Māori world view is visible and heard within the health sector.
Outside of her role at New Zealand Health Group, Ranei also participates in several governance groups, including Mana College Board of Trustees (Chair), Whitireia, WelTec and Partners Porirua Boards, Porirua Foundation, Te Pae Eastern Porirua Regeneration Panel Chair, Youth2Work Chair and President of the Maori Women’s Welfare League Ngati Toa branch.
About New Zealand Health Group
Having operated in the sector for over 30 years, the New Zealand Health Group has built up an enviable reputation for relentlessly pursuing better techniques and systems to be able to provide the very best of care and support for those New Zealanders who need help to live in their own homes as independently as possible. We are a leading force in the industry known for creativity and technology-driven innovative solutions that enable us to be more responsive in the delivery of high quality healthcare and recruitment services.
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