Te Aka Whai Ora
Te Aka Whai Ora () is an independent New Zealand government statutory entity tasked with managing Māori health policies, services, and outcomes. The agency is one of four national bodies that oversee New Zealand's health system since 2022, along with the Ministry of Health, the Public Health Agency, and Te Whatu Ora. They replaced a system in which a single Ministry funded services through 20 district health boards (DHBs). Riana Manuel was appointed to be the first Chief Executive, which has been a permanent agency since 1 July 2022. Mandate and responsibilities Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority) is a statutory entity responsible for ensuring that the New Zealand health system meets the needs of Māori. It will work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand to achieve the following stated goals: leading change in the way the entire health system understands and responds to Māori health needs developing strategy and policy which will improve Māori health outcomes commissioning Māori customary services and other services targeting Māori communities co-commissioning other services alongside Health New Zealand monitoring the overall performance of the system to reduce Māori health inequities. The MHA will work alongside Health New