The Public Service health sector works together to improve, promote, protect and achieve better health outcomes for people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tā te rāngai hauora mahi What the health sector does
Health and disability services in New Zealand are delivered by a network of organisations and people. The Ministry of Health develops policies for the health and disability sector and provides leadership. Health New Zealand is a new organisation established to run the health system, with functions delivered at local, district, regional and national levels, while Te Aka Whai Ora — Māori Health Authority works to understand Māori health needs and aspirations, and ensure these are reflected in health system’s priorities and plans.
The Health and Disability Commissioner promotes and protects the rights of people using health and disability services, while the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission contributes to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people in New Zealand.
The Health Research Council of New Zealand identifies and funds research that can lead to new medicines, breakthroughs and cures, while the Health & Safety Commission provides advice to the Minister of Health on improving quality and safety in health and disability support services. The Cancer Control Agency leads and unites efforts to deliver better cancer outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Accident Compensation Corporation works to reduce the number of accidents people have and helps get New Zealanders and visitors back to everyday life if they have an accident, while Pharmac provides New Zealanders with funded access to international medicine and products. The New Zealand Blood Service’s work means people can receive the life-saving transfusions they need in medical events, and Taumata Arowai, the Water Regulator, works to ensure we all have access to clean drinking water.
Our health sector works to create an equitable, accessible, cohesive and people-centred system that will improve the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders.
Ngā kaimahi o te rāngai hauora Who works in the health sector
The health sector employs:
- nearly 60,000 nurses and 16,000 doctors
- midwives, carers, physiotherapists and disability advocates
- scientists, data analysts and researchers
- service providers, trainers and advocates
- administrators, policy analysts and managers.
Ngā painga o te rāngai hauora mō Aotearoa How the health sector benefits New Zealand
Everyone in New Zealand benefits from the health sector’s work, as it has a direct impact on the health of our communities and families. The sector works to improve people’s wellbeing by helping them get the best healthcare possible, depending on their needs. Working together, the sector helps prevent and treat illness by providing people with the advice and resources they need to live healthy lives. It also works to reduce barriers to how people access healthcare to ensure everyone in New Zealand can get the medical care they need.
Ngā whakahaere rāngai hauora Health sector organisations
These are the main Public Service organisations that support Aotearoa New Zealand’s health sector.
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Te Kaporeihana Āwhina Hunga Whara | Accident Compensation Corporation
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is a Crown agent that helps to get New Zealanders and visitors back to everyday life if they’ve had an accident. It also works with partners and the community to keep people safe and prevent injuries. ACC helps cover the cost of treatment, help at home, transport requirements and income assistance. It builds close relationships within cultural groups and the wider community.
Sectors
Chair
Hon Steve Maharey CNZM, Chair
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
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Te Aho o Te Kahu | Cancer Control Agency
The Cancer Control Agency provides central leadership and oversight of cancer control. It leads and unites organisations, service providers and people across the cancer continuum to improve cancer outcomes for all New Zealanders. The Agency works with partners across the health system to enable cancer prevention, ensure early detection and diagnosis, and provide high-quality treatment and care. Te Aho o Te Kahu is focused on identifying and addressing inequities in cancer care and delivering on its vision of fewer cancers, better survival and equity for all.
Sectors
Leader
Rami Rahal, Te Tumu Whakahaere | Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
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Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand is a Crown agent that was established in 2022 to run the health system across New Zealand, with functions delivered at local, district, regional and national levels. It is responsible for delivering quality hospital and specialist services that are consistent and equitable for all areas of New Zealand. Its work ensures primary and community care is tailored to meet the specific needs of communities. Health New Zealand is part of the health sector.
Sectors
Chair
Dame Karen Poutasi, Chair
Website
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Kupu Taurangi Hauora o Aotearoa | Health Quality & Safety Commission
The Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC) is a Crown agent and is Aotearoa New Zealand’s only focused national quality and safety agency working with clinicians, providers and consumers to provide safe, equitable, high-quality health and disability services. As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, HQSC gather, analyse and report on data and information from across the system, detailing the equity, quality and safety of services. We are also the health sector’s central trusted hub for sharing and understanding data and experiences and improving care together. Our work means greater health equity, fewer people harmed, more lives saved, and financial savings that can be reapplied to care for New Zealanders.
Sectors
Chair
Raewyn Lamb, Chair
Website
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Health Research Council of New Zealand
The Health Research Council of New Zealand is a Crown Agent that identifies and funds research that can lead to new medicines, breakthroughs and cures, and improve our health and wellbeing. Its funding strengthens the health workforce by enabling researchers to pursue innovative and internationally significant research that in turn benefits the people in New Zealand.
Sectors
Chair
Dr Lester Levy, Chair
Website
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Te Aka Whai Ora | Māori Health Authority
Te Aka Whai Ora is a Crown agent that works to understand Māori health needs and aspirations across Aotearoa and ensure these are reflected in the priorities and plans of the health system. It commissions kaupapa Māori services and other services that target Māori communities, as well as developing strategy and policy to increase wellbeing and reduce health inequities for Māori.
Sectors
Leader
Riana Manuel, Te Tumu Whakarae, Chief Executive
Website
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Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health leads New Zealand’s health and disability system, in coordination with Health New Zealand and Te Aka Whai Ora — Māori Health Authority. It provides a range of support, information, and health services that enable people in Aotearoa New Zealand to live healthy lives It also funds, monitors and drives the performance improvements of other health sector entities.
Sectors
Leader
Professor Diana Sarfati, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Hauora | Director-General of Health and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
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Te Ratonga Toto O Aotearoa | New Zealand Blood Service
New Zealand Blood Service is a Crown agent that supports the healthcare community by managing the collection, processing and supply of blood, controlled human substances and related services. It operates 6 blood banks around Aotearoa New Zealand that match patients with the blood transfusions they need. Its work in processing blood donations means better efficiency, quality and safety for people in New Zealand.
Sectors
Chair
Fiona Pimm, Chair
Website
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Te Pātaka Whaioranga | Pharmaceutical Management Agency
Pharmac is a Crown agent that manages the national pharmaceutical budget, investing it carefully to ensure New Zealanders have the medicines they need. It gives people access to medicines and related products to help them live healthy lives and works to improve access for people who aren’t getting the medicines they need.
Sectors
Chair
Hon Steve Maharey CNZM, Chair
Website
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Taumata Arowai | Water Services Regulator
Taumata Arowai is a Crown agent that works to ensure all communities have access to safe drinking water every day. It protects people and communities from serious health risks due to the quality or quantity of drinking water and supports the water services sector to improve its performance and environmental outcomes. This includes overseeing the protection of the environment from the impacts of wastewater and stormwater.
Sector
Chair
Dame Karen Poutasi DNZM, Chair
Website