Iwi-Māori partnership boards (IMPBs) are an essential feature in the new health reforms, with decision making roles at a local level, and jointly agreed local priorities and delivery with Te Whatu Ora.
Fifteen, iwi-Māori partnership boards have been formally recognised under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022(external link):
Further iwi-Māori partnership boards are working their way through the formal recognition process.
IMPBs are the primary source of whānau voice in the system and influence regional strategies through Te Aka Whai Ora:
Iwi-Māori partnership boards are legislatively recognised to ensure Māori governance in the determination of health priorities for iwi and Māori across localities.
The changes arising from the health reforms establish a localities approach that ensures health services are organised in a way that makes sense to the geographic communities they service.
Under the locality governance - led by IMPBs and community leaders - localities work with communities and local primary care, community providers, local social care services and local government to improve service delivery and Māori health and wellbeing outcomes.