New Zealand health system review
Overview
New Zealand is a Pacific nation of just over 5 million people. Health and disability services are predominantly tax-funded, providing universal coverage. The population enjoys high health status overall, but with significant inequalities for Māori, as well as for Pacific peoples, people on low incomes and the disabled. The Central Government is responsible for health and disability policy in New Zealand, with Government-appointed Ministers leading policy, regulatory and funding decision-making. Since the 1980s there have been seven major reforms of the health and disability sectors. These have typically had similar goals, such as improving equity, enhancing public health and prevention services, and improving access to and the scope of services delivered in PHC.
The most recent reforms introduced a new structure on 1 July 2022. The MoH is continuing its lead policy role in health, with a new embedded Public Health Agency focused on improving public (population) health policy and services. A new Ministry of Disabled People (MoDP) has been established to take over the lead policy and service funding roles for disability policy and services.
The New Zealand Health in Transition Review is the 2nd edition. It presents an overview of the country’s health, and updates on health system status, challenges and reforms.