The System - How it stacks up

Manatū Hauora (The Ministry of Health)

A strategic advisor to the Government on anything to do with our Health and Disability System. It sets health policy, advise on what should be funded and collects data on health outcomes that other agencies use in reports. It funds national health roll outs and campaigns like the COVID vaccination program. As the 1st of July 2022, it no longer funds or commissions Mental Health and Addiction Services - that’s moved to Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whaiora.

Te Aka Whaiora (The Maori Health Authority)

Develops strategy and policy alongside Manatū Hauora and Te Whatu Ora with particular focus on creating better health outcomes for Māori. This includes funding or commissioning for kaupapa Māori services or services servicing Māori hapori across all of health.

Te Whatu Ora - (Health New Zealand)

The new national body that rolled up all the district health boards into one and is now (or soon will be) New Zealand’s largest employer. It manages planning, commissioning and funding (with both national and regional planners and funders) of all health services, including hospital and specialist services, and primary and community care.

Te Hiringa Mahara - (The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission)

An independent crown entity, contrary to what its name might suggest, it holds no funding or commissioning powers, but can independently monitor the Mental Health and Wellbeing system players and services including the government, NGO’s and the entities above. Its focus is on Mental Health and Wellbeing which intersects areas outside ‘health’ like workplaces, justice and education whereas the entities above encompass all of - and only - health. It uses the data that the entities and services collect to report without bias on both what’s working, as well as what needs to happen. It plays a pivotal advocacy and leadership role around how to address system gaps. It engages with stakeholders first-hand to hear their experiences of “the system”, so it can recommend improvements. NGO’s (Including the Mental Health Foundation, Ember, and Ember Innovations) Non Government Organisations hold contracts for services ranging from promotion and prevention (like the MHF) to community outreach, youth, kaupapa Māori, workforce development, counseling, population specific (e.g. Pacific, Asian), residential, acute alternatives, advice and advocacy, peer, specialist (like Gambling Harm, Substance Use or Eating Disorders) and many more.

Many receive funding from Te Whatu Ora, or Te Aka Whaiora for service-specific contracts. They are often (but not always) charities, funded from a mix of government, philanthropy, private investment, grants and donations.

Depending on their contracts, they may be able to make public and media commentary (for example MHF for system overview, Ember Innovations for change-making solutions, Anxiety NZ for anxiety related issues, and Changing Minds for Lived Experience Voice) or they may be restricted in their contracts and unable speak to the media. Te Aka Whaiora (The Maori Health Authority) Te Whatu Ora - (Health New Zealand) Te Hiringa Mahara - (The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission) NGO’s (Including the Mental Health Foundation, Ember, and Ember Innovations).