to get Māori on health boards, reps say
Māori health representatives in Marlborough say government appointed health boards may be the “best way” to get Māori on health boards.
The Health and Disability Systems Review, released last month, proposed district health boards be entirely government appointed, rather than having some members locally elected by the public.
Iwi Health Board chair Dawn McConnell, who resides in Picton, is in her third term as a ministerial appointment to the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.
She said it was extremely difficult to get Māori on health boards through local elections.
“Over the time I’ve been involved I’ve managed to get one or two people [to stand], and because they’re not known they don’t get in, that’s the other thing.”
“I think that the appointment system is, at the moment, the best way for us to have representation on the health board.”
