Page 15 - Kete 1 Resource Book

CROWN OBJECTIVES FOR MĀORI HEALTH
WHAT IS HEALTH POLICY?
Government policy is the official policy of the land and directs funding and resources to specific areas in our communities such as welfare, law and order, education and health.
Health policy is designed in response to governmental policy. Health policy is the process of assessing the health needs of a community and choosing a strategy or plan to meet the needs of the public. Health policy is written which highlights the requirements of the people identified as needing help and supports and sets out the strategy or plan for the health needs of a population.
The Treaty of Waitangi and health policy
The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document. It establishes the relationship between the Crown (government) and the Tangata Whenua (Māori) (first peoples) and requires that the Crown and Māori act reasonably towards each other and in good faith.
In health, this means that the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi are threaded through all health policies so that staff members provide support that:
• is respectful and protective of Māori values and culture
• includes whānau, iwi and hapū in the decision- making
• ensures power in the relationship is shared with the person.
PSC FW - Māori Cultural Awareness Kete 1 | Published 2017
Page 15