‘An attack on science and good medical practice’

David Seymour, Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters

6 Oct 2024

Belinda Loring, Papaarangi Reid, Elana Curtis, Melissa McLeod, Ricci Harris, Rhys Jones

Last week, the Cabinet Office released a circular to all government organisations. The document communicates a key commitment in the coalition agreement:

“That it is the Government’s expectation that public services should be prioritised on the basis of need, not race.”

The term “race” originates from a long-discredited presumption of a biological hierarchy of human beings from white to black, and for decades the New Zealand health system has instead used “ethnicity”.

This return to discredited terminology suggests that the foundations of white superiority are still alive and well in New Zealand today.

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Key issues

HEALTH SERVICES AND SYSTEMS

Covering developments in the provision, funding and organisation of health care services.

EQUITY

Exploring the impacts of the health system on minorities within the population, notably including Māori, Pacifica, Asians and LGBTQI.

DRUGS, DEVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS

Covering prescription medicines and medical devices.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Focusing on efforts to promote health and prevent disease through social and economic interventions.

DIGITAL HEALTH

Exploring the potential digital transformation to provide a more connected and accessible health system.

TE TIRITI

Monitoring how the health reforms and the performance of the health sector uphold Te Tiriti obligations.