Home / The Plan / Te Tiriti o Waitangi
The Plan acknowledges that te Tiriti o Waitangi (te Tiriti) is the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand and recognises that a key intent of te Tiriti was to uphold relationships of mutual benefit between the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa (tāngata whenua) and all those who had come, and were to come, to settle here (tāngata tiriti).
The Plan upholds these relationships of mutual benefit and is committed to implementation aligned with the principles of tino rangatiratanga, equity, active protection, options and partnership which underpin te Tiriti relationship between the Government and Māori. Together these principles have a role in achieving health equity for Māori, through providing options to ensure that the health service is culturally safe, culturally responsive and delivering high quality care.
Central to te Tiriti relationship and implementation of te Tiriti principles, is a shared understanding that health is a taonga. Based on this understanding, the Plan supports both Māori and the Crown in their shared roles in implementing health strategies for Maori and will engage with all stakeholders in good faith and with mutual respect, co-operation and trust.
The Plan was co-created with, and is implemented by, multiple stakeholders in the aged care, home and community, mental health and addictions, and disability sectors across private, NGO, district health board, and government settings who support and share this role by working together towards the vision of a Kaiāwhina workforce that adds value to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders by being competent, adaptable and an integral part of service provision. The Plan intends that all stakeholders establish an enduring Tiriti relationship which creates a future that benefits all whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori.
The Plan is committed to the kaupapa (purpose) behind the Ministry of Health’s He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy which sets the overarching framework to guide the Crown and the health and disability sector to achieve health equity for Māori.
Pae ora is the Government’s vision for Māori health and provides a holistic concept and includes three interconnected elements, mauri ora (healthy individuals), whānau ora (healthy families) and wai ora (healthy environments). It provides a platform for Māori to live with good health and wellbeing in an environment that supports a good quality of life and encourages the stakeholders in the Plan to think beyond narrow definitions of health, and to support the development of high-quality and effective services.
The four Pathways laid out in He Korowai Oranga: Development of whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori communities; Māori participation in the health and disability sector; Effective health and disability services; and Working across sectors; together provide guidance and direction on how the work of the Plan will support the achievement of pae ora and the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi.
