Whanau Ora fails Maori

9 October 2015

Whanau Ora isn’t working and nor is it saving lives judging by tragic statistics released today by the Ministry of Health, says Labour’s Maori Development spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta.

“Whanau Ora is the Maori Party’s flagship health programme, yet these newly released statics show Maori are still suffering the most in almost every health category.

“Under this Government Maori continue to be over-represented with the worst statistics for cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, disabilities, suicide and intentional self-harming.

“Maori life expectancy is just 73 years for men and 77 years for women compared with 80 years for non-Maori men and 83 for non-Maori women.

“The total-cancer mortality rate among Maori adults was more than 1.5 times as high as that among non-Maori adults.

“This is an appalling record and it’s obvious more needs to be done to both improve living conditions while providing better access to health services for Maori.

“Whanau Ora providers have not combined the reporting of wellbeing outcomes with health targets and it needs to be done. The reality is that Whanau Ora has not been able to inform or have impact on DHB funding decisions.

“It’s time for the Maori Party to admit Whanau Ora isn’t anchored on solid foundations and has failed to bring fresh health opportunities for Maori,” says Nanaia Mahuta.

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