Cancer Services Planning

On 21 April 2021 the Government announced radical and far-reaching Health and Disability System reforms. Changes included the dissolution of District Health Boards, and the creation of two new health entities - Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Māori Health Authority | Te Aka Whai Ora.

Te Aho o Te Kahu remains a departmental agency reporting directly to the Minister of Health and is now working alongside these new entities, to guide and support their planning for cancer services delivery in the new system. As a first step we are sharing this document, Cancer Services Planning, He Mahere Ratonga Mate Pukupuku.

This document provides a summary of the current issues in adult cancer treatment services in Aotearoa and sets out key focus areas to improve cancer treatment. It proposes a direction of travel which can be considered by decision-makers and service providers as they design and implement a reformed health system.

Our name Te Aho o Te Kahu refers to the central thread of the cloak and reflects the role of our Agency to lead and unite efforts to improve cancer outcomes for all New Zealanders. This document is a testament to the weaving together of the aspirations, experiences and expertise of many – including whānau with cancer, doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, non-government organisations, whānau Māori, policymakers, Te Aho o Te Kahu working groups and staff.

The guidance in this document provides the building blocks of a system where all New Zealanders are able to access cancer care that is high-quality, equitable, sustainable, and whānau-centred; which meets our Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and delivers equity for Māori and Pacific peoples, and those underserved by our current Health and Disability System.

Note: The report is still ‘draft’ as it needs to go through some final publication processes which are currently experiencing very high demand. We will continue to work through these and the draft version will be replaced with a final version in due course.