Published on 9 August 2025

Ngaa Pou Hauora oo Taamaki Makaurau leads unified IMPB response to Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill

At the recent IMPB National Hui held in Taranaki, our Chief Executive, Simon Royal, emphasised that our collective response to the proposed amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 must be deliberate, strategic, and unified. He led the charge in moving this discussion forward, highlighting the strength of a united voice. The fifteen Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) gathered in Taranaki  for the first time since the first reading of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Amendment Bill which marked a significant moment to come together, share perspectives, and set a national direction.

The Pae Ora Act, passed in 2022, established Aotearoa’s reformed health system, creating Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora), the Māori Health Authority (Te Aka Whai Ora), and IMPBs. It sets out how these entities work together to improve health outcomes for Māori and ensure whānau voices are part of decision-making.

He reminded us that the Pae Ora Act is not just a piece of legislation; it is how our health system recognises Māori leadership. Simon led the kōrero on how we move forward, outlining a process that ensures every IMPB is informed, engaged, and part of a single, powerful voice.

For Simon, this meant: 

  • Basing our response on the Regulatory Impact Statement and assessing the Crown’s rationale for each change.
  • Challenging proposals that weaken our ability to deliver for whānau.
  • Keeping all Board Chairs and governance bodies informed from the first draft.
  • Ensuring consistency so the submission reflects a united position.
  • Inviting all IMPBs to sign, giving the message the full weight of our collective mana.

This approach has already found broad support among many IMPBs. The first draft will give everyone the opportunity to review, strengthen, and align our position ahead of finalising the submission in just nine days’ time.

“When we stand together, we don’t just make a submission; we make a statement. We will bring everyone on board because this kaupapa is too important for fragmentation. Every IMPB voice strengthens the whole, and the whole is what will carry us forward,” says Simon Royal.