Our purpose
Te Aho o Te Khau was established in December 2019 in recognition of the impact cancer has on the lives of New Zealanders. We lead and unite planning and efforts to deliver person and whānau-centred cancer care and improve outcomes for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Agency is responsible for monitoring progress against the refreshed New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2026–2029 and other government health strategies, helping to ensure decision-makers have the evidence and insights required to drive improvement across the system.
Agency name
The te reo Māori name is a taonga that was gifted by Hei Āhuru Mōwai, the Māori Cancer Leadership Network in June 2020. This name is a core part of the Agency’s identity. Te Aho o Te Kahu means ‘the central thread of the cloak. Te Aho: the central thread symbolises the Agency and their role as a leader and connector across the cancer control continuum. Te Kahu: the cloak symbolises all the services, organisations, communities and people across the cancer continuum.
Vision and values
The Agency’s vision is that we aspire to achieve:
- Fewer cancers - Kia whakaiti iho te mate pukupuku
- Better survival - Kia runga noa ake te mataora
- Equity for all - Kia taurite ngā huanga.
The strategic direction and work programme are underpinned by the values of being equity-led, knowledge-driven, outcomes-focused and person- and whānau-centred.
He Mana Taurite
Equity-led
We strive for equity for all New Zealanders.
Mana Tāngata
Whānau-centred
We put people at the heart of all our work.
Whai Māramatanga
Knowledge-driven
We are guided by the best information & insights.
Kia Angitū
Outcomes-focused
We relentlessly deliver better outcomes for all.
Structure
Te Aho o Te Kahu reports directly to the Minister of Health. We are a departmental agency hosted by the Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora.
Three groups provide advice to the Agency's Chief Executive: Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Network, He Ara Tangata Consumer Reference Group (50 percent Māori membership) and the Cancer National Clinical Network, that we jointly lead with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora.
Te Aho o Te Kahu has an Office of the Deputy Chief Executive and five teams – the composition and work programme of each team strongly aligns with Te Aho o Te Kahu values: Equity and Whānau-centred Care, Knowledge Translation and Implementation, System Performance and Innovation, and the Data and Analytics, with three specialist Chief Advisors. The teams based in our Wellington office are joined by four regional hubs based in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Christchurch. These hubs report through to the Office of the Chief Executive.
Operating Environment
The role of Te Aho o Te Kahu is unchanged by the health system reforms, the Agency remains the national leader for cancer control and continues to be the central thread which connects and unites both new and existing health entities, and the wider cancer sector, providing expertise and support to improve outcomes for whānau with cancer.