Dr Martin Mikaere has spent years removing barriers for his rural and Māori patients. While the Thames-based Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki GP and Hauraki PHO clinical director says systems have slowly improved – mostly thanks to independent organisations – he’s felt many of the changes at government level have just been “lip service” until now. In a slew of reforms, the Government has announced it will abolish all 20 district health boards, and create a new organisation, Health New Zealand, that will oversee the health sector. It will also create an independent Māori health authority that will make joint decisions with a new centralised health agency. It’s a “brave move” which Mikaere feels is the right step towards greater health outcomes for all. READ MORE: Independence of Māori Health Authority paramount - Lady Tureiti Moxon Coronavirus: Mobile testing goes rural, clinic restarts in Hauraki area National Urban Māori Authority calls for Māori self-determination in … [Read more...] about Waikato GP believes centralised health agency will remove ‘red tape’ for all