After 20 years of relative stability, the health system is now entering a period of major reforms. The Government’s review of the New Zealand Health and Disability System published its final report in March 2020. In response, the government has, this year, announced a series of wide-ranging changes that will be taking effect over the next 12 to 24 months. In this presentation I will provide an overview of the proposed changes, and discuss the implications for health service delivery, Māori health, and health equity.

Peter Crampton is a professor of public health in Kōhatu, the Centre for Hauora Māori, at the University of Otago. He researches and teaches Māori health, health systems and public health. His academic career has spanned a variety of roles including serving as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences and Dean of the Otago Medical School. His research is focused on social indicators and social epidemiology, health care policy, health care organisation and funding, and Māori health. He was a member of the Government’s Health and Disability System Review panel, and sits on the boards of the Health Quality and Safety Commission and the Southern District Health Board.