title: The New Zealand Health Strategy 2016: whither health equity?
abstract: New Zealand's core health policy document-the New Zealand Health Strategy (NZHS)-was released in its final form in April 2016. This paper provides a critique of the strategy in particular, as it relates to health equity particularly for Māori. We introduce the five NZHS themes of-people powered, closer to home, value and high performance, one team and smart system-to focus on the aspirational goal of eliminating health inequities. Our critical framework is informed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We identified that the NZHS relies on the isolated efforts of committed individuals and organisations to achieve health equity and Te Tiriti engagement, rather than through a planned systems viewpoint. Evidence on health equity and Te Tiriti application suggests efforts need to be sustained, systematic and multi-levelled to be successful, rather than ad hoc and piecemeal.
authors.affiliation: Taupua Waiora Māori Health Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Came
authors.affiliation: SHORE & Whariki Research Group, Massey University, Auckland.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McCreanor
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doole
authors.affiliation: Māori Public Health, Manukahu Associates, Auckland.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rawson
mesh_terms: D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D000069576:Health Equity / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D044382:Population Groups