Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPB):
- represent local needs and aspirations of whānau Māori living in their takiwā
- support the delivery of services and public health interventions within their respective rohe
- represent connected communities who are best placed to understand their needs to a future of pae ora (healthy futures).
It is the work that happens within their respective rohe that will make a difference.
The functions of IMPBs are outlined in the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act.
- Engage with whānau and hapū on regional health needs, and communicate the results and insights from that engagement to Health NZ.
- Evaluate the current state of hauora Māori in their rohe of responsibility to determine priorities for improving hauora Māori.
- Work with Health NZ in developing priorities for improving hauora Māori.
- Report on the hauora Māori activities of Health NZ to Māori in the area covered by the iwi-Māori partnership board.
They play a key role in working with Health NZ to understand the health needs of the communities in their area. They will also have critical input into local planning.
Health NZ's role
Health NZ has a statutory obligation to engage and support IMPBs. They also have an obligation to engage with IMPBs when determining health priorities for Māori.
How IMPBs will make a difference for Māori
IMPBs are the most visible and recognised expression of tino rangatiratanga in the new system and reflect Te Tiriti partnership in a practical way.
They strengthen the overall health system to ensure Māori voices are heard in decision-making that affects Māori health.
Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs) as at 30 June 2024
There are 15 IMPBs
Te Taumata Hauora o Te Kahu o Taonui
Tai Tokerau-Tāmaki (Northland and North, West and Central)
Ngaa Pou Hauora oo Taamaki Makaurau
South Auckland
Te Tiratū
Waikato-Tainui
Te Moana a Toi, Mataatua
Bay of Plenty
Tairāwhiti Toitū Te Ora
Tairāwhiti
Te Taura Ora ō Waiariki
Te Arawa (Rotorua)
Tūwharetoa
Tūwharetoa (Taupō)
Te Punanga Ora
Taranaki
Te Mātuku
Whanganui
Tihei Tākitimu
Tākitimu (Hawkes Bay)
Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua
Manawatū
Te Karu o te Ika Poari Hauora
Wairarapa
Ātiawa Toa – Greater | Te Upoko o te Ika
Wellington, Hutt, Porirua and Kāpiti
Te Kāhui Hauora o Te Tau Ihu
Nelson and Marlborough
Te Tauraki
Ngāi Tahu (South Island, except Nelson or Marlborough)
How the IMPBs were established and recognised
IMPBs are established through a 3-step process that encompasses tikanga and mana motuhake.
The following mentions Te Aka Whai Ora, The Māori Health Authority, which is now disestablished. Ministry of Health and the Director General of Health are now responsible for the roles Te Aka Whai Ora held.
Appoint
IMPB members are nominated by local iwi-Māori. Those nominations were then mandated by iwi and mana whenua. Each Board also include representatives from:
- iwi
- mātāwaka – local Māori who live in an area they might not whakapapa to
- community members with relevant hauora expertise.
Support
Te Aka Whai Ora supported the development of their constitutional and governance arrangements to comply with the Pae Ora Act.
Approve
The Board of Te Aka Whai Ora:
- considered whether the emerging IMPBs met the criteria in the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022
- advised the Minister of Health they were satisfied all criteria had been met.
The Minister recommends an Order in Council and that recommendation is signed by the Governor General. The IMPBs were formally listed Section 31 Recognition of iwi-Māori partnership Boards.