This section describes key organisations and people in New Zealand’s health and disability system.
Minister of Health
The Minister of Health has overall responsibility for the health and disability system. The Minister’s functions, duties, responsibilities and powers are provided for in the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 and other legislation.
- Minister of Health – Hon Dr Shane Reti
Associate Ministers
- Associate Minister of Health (Pharmac) – Hon David Seymour
- Associate Minister of Health – Hon Matt Doocey
- Associate Minister of Health – Hon Casey Costello
Minister for Mental Health
- Minister for Mental Health – Hon Matt Doocey
Manatū Hauora – Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health is the government’s principal advisor on health and disability policy. For more information about our responsibilities and priorities, go to About us.
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand took over responsibility for planning and commissioning hospital, primary and community health services from 1 July 2022.
Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority
Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority was an independent statutory entity and established under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. Its purpose was to ensure that health planning and service delivery respond to the aspirations and the needs of Māori, and to design and deliver services to achieve this purpose. In March 2024, the Government passed the Pae Ora (Disestablishment of Māori Health Authority) Amendment Act. The disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority comes into force on 30 June 2024.
Māori Health Authority staff and functions transferred to Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora. This means the health system maintains the expertise needed to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders including Māori. The disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority means health system commissioning sits with Health New Zealand and health system leadership with the Ministry of Health.
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People was created on 1 July 2022 to provide a wider lens on disability across Government, and to drive transformation of the disability support system.
Disabled people will now have a dedicated agency that will support a whole-of-life approach to disability, rather than considering the community’s needs through a health lens alone.