Key Events

• Signing of Te Tiriti ō Waitangi – Treaty of Waitangi (6th Feb 1840) - On 6 February 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands by Captain William Hobson, several English residents, and between 43 and 46 Māori rangatira.

• Discussions on subsidises for treating Māori (1840s)

• Hospital institution (presumed to be military) established in Auckland (1841)

• Official counting of the population began (1842)

• Māori leaders petition government for hospital (1844)

• New Zealand Land Wars began (1845)

• Funding for Māori hospitals allocated (1846)

• First hospitals commissioned (1846)

• Funding granted for the erection of hospitals in Auckland, Wellington, Whanganui and Taranaki (1846)

• First public hospital in New Zealand opened in Wellington (1847)

• Māori use of hospitals evident from outset (1848)

Legislation

• Municipal Corporation Act 1842 – to provide for ‘the good order health and convenience of towns and their neighbourhoods’.

• Harbour Act 1842 – to provide for the regulation of harbours for quarantine purposes

• Coroners Act 1846

• Lunatics Act 1846

• Registration Act 1847

• Medical Practitioners Act 1849

• Scab Act 1849

Public Health

• First known case of smallpox via ship landed in Lambton Harbour (1840)

• Release of a pamphlet on smallpox in Māori (1849)

Health Workforce

• First Colonial Surgeon appointed (1841)

Key Events

• Official national population census held (1851)

• First meeting of Parliament in 1854

• Medical assistance for Natives discussed in Parliament (1855)

• Hospital in New Plymouth classed as tapu, leading to the hospital providing mainly outpatient service (1857)

• First attempt to count Māori population (1857)

Legislation

• Regulations gazetted amplifying provisions for quarantine 1854

• Public Reserves Act 1854

• Auckland Hospital and Grammar School Reserves Act 1856

• Registration Act 1858

• Lunatics Ordinance Amendment Act 1858

• Coroners Act 1858

Public Health

• Formation of Central Board of Vaccination for the Aborigines of New Zealand (1854)

• Scarlet fever and measles outbreaks (1854)

Health Workforce

• Appointment of qualified doctors solely as Native Medical Attendants (1857)

Policy

• Funding assigned for Māori Medical Care under the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 (UK)

Key Events

• Influx of immigrants increases hospital demand (1861)

• Return of George Grey as Governor (1862)

• Land given in Te Awamutu for native hospital (1862)

• Discussions about a hospital for Māori in Rotorua (1862)

• New Zealand Government now responsible for Māori affairs (1863)

Legislation

• Native Purposes Appropriation Act 1862

• Marine Board Act 1863

• Vaccination Act 1863

• The Coroners' Act Amendment Act 1864

• Wellington Hospital Reserves Act 1865

• Lunatics Act 1866

• Coroners Act 1867

• Māori Representation Act 1867

• Medical Practitioners Act 1867

• Harbour and Quarantine Regulations for the ports of New Zealand 1868

• Lunatics Act 1868

• Contagious Diseases Act 1869

• Medical Practitioners’ Registration Act 1869

Public Health

• Typhoid appeared as epidemic disease (1860)

Key Events

• Māori land wars ended (1872)

• A central Board of Health for entire colony established under the Public Health Act 1876

• Administrative and financial control of hospitals taken over by central Government (1876)

• Control of asylums taken over by central Government (1876)

Legislation

• Vaccination Act 1871

• Public Health Act 1872

• Wellington Hospital Loan Act 1874

• Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1875

• Anatomy Act 1875

• The Wellington Hospital Loan Act 1874 Amendment Act 1875

• The Wellington Hospital Loan Act 1874 Amendment Act 1875 (No 2) Act 1875

• Public Health Act 1876

• Wellington Hospital and College Reserves Exchange Act 1876

• Public Health Act 1876 Amendment Act 1877

• Tobacco Act 1879

Public Health

• Smallpox outbreaks – Auckland and Wellington (1872)

• Whooping cough epidemic (1873)

• Cromwell has typhoid outbreak (1874)

• Measles epidemic (1874)

Health Workforce

• Otago Medical School established under Anatomy Act 1875

Key Events

• Native Schools Code teachers supplied with simple medicine (1880)

• First report on New Zealand hospitals (1882)

• Compulsory health education for Māori proposed (1884)

• Discussion around hospitals for Ngāi Tahu (1887)

Legislation

• Dentists Act 1880

• Pharmacy Act 1880

• Public Health Act 1876, Amendment Act 1881

• Dentists Act 1880 Amendment Act 1881

• Public Health Act 1876 Amendment Act 1882

• Cemeteries Act 1882

• Lunatics Act 1882

• Public Health Act 1876 Amendment Act 1884

• Anatomy Act 1875 Amendment Act 1884

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act 1885

• Pharmacy Act 1880 Amendment Act 1887

• Coroners Act Amendment Act 1888

Public Health

• Measles epidemic – Otago, Canterbury, Auckland, Wellington and Hawke’s Bay (1881)

• Typhoid epidemic (1888)

Health Workforce

• First inspector of hospitals and asylums Dr Graham (1882)

• Formation of New Zealand Medical Association (1886)

Key Events

• First political party (Liberal Party) is formed (1890)

• Native Department abolished (1892)

• Women’s suffrage movement (1893)

• Police officers instructed to watch tohunga (1899)

Legislation

• Lunatics Act Amendment Act 1891

• Dentists Act Amendment Act 1891

• Public Health Act 1876 Amendment Act 1893

• Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act 1893

• Lunatics Act Amendment Act 1894

• Lunatics Act Amendment Act 1895

• Alcoholic Liquors Inspections Act 1896

• Public Morgues Act 1896

• Tobacco Excise Duties Act 1896

• Tobacco Act Amendment Act 1896

• Pharmacy Act 1898

• Pharmacy Act Amendment Act 1899

Public Health

• Dr Walter Fell reviews quarantine regulations (1891)

• Measles epidemic (1893)

• Mrs Grace Neill appointed Assistant Inspector of Hospitals (1895)

• Measles epidemic (1898)

Health Workforce

• Tutere Wirepa and Peter Buck receive Māori medical scholarships (1898)

Key Events

• Establishment of Department of Public Health (1901)

• Suggestion to move matters pertaining to Māori health to Department of Public Health (1901)

• Department of Public Health takes full responsibility for Māori health (1906)

• Department of Native Affairs re-established (1906)

• Native Department re-established (1906)

• Establishment of Mental Hospitals Department (1908)

• Māori medical services returned to Native Affairs (1909)

Legislation

• Bubonic Plague Prevention Act 1900

• Lunatics Act Amendment Act 1900

• Public Health Act 1900

• Māori Councils Act 1900

• Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards Act 1900

• Accidents Compensation Act 1901

• Public Health Amendment Act 1901

• Public Health Amendment Act 1901 (No.2)

• Nurses Registration Act 1901

• Accident Insurance Companies Act 1902

• Pharmacy Act Amendment Act 1902

• Public Health Amendment Act 1902

• Public Health Amendment Act 1903

• Juvenile Smoking Suppression Act 1903

• Public Health Amendment Act 1904

• Midwives Act 1904

• Dentists Act 1904

• Medical Practitioners Registration Act 1905

• Habitual Drunkards Act 1906

• Private Hospitals Act 1906

• Infant Life Protection Act 1907

• Public Health Amendment Act 1907

• Tohunga Suppression Act 1907

• Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act 1907

• Coroners Amendment Act 1908

• Public Health Act 1908 (consolidation Act)

• Medical Act 1908 (consolidation Act)

• Quackery Prevention Act 1908

• Dentists Act 1908 (consolidation Act)

• Lunatics Act 1908 (consolidation Act)

• Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act 1908 (consolidation Act)

• Mental Hospitals Reserves Act 1908

• Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act 1909

Public Health

• First death from plague (1900)

• Central Board of Health suggested establishment of Department of Public Health (1900)

• Inquiry into the sanitary condition of the colony (1900)

• Tangi by-law restricting public tangi in order to contain infectious disease (1900)

• Measles epidemic (1902)

• Smallpox spread from Tasmania to Christchurch (1904)

• Measles epidemic (1907)

Health Workforce

• A Māori chief appointed as a Sanitary Commissioner (1900)

• Dr J M Mason appointed Chief Health Officer (1900)

• Maui Pomare appointed Chief Native Health Officer (1901)

• First District Health Officers appointed (1901)

• Māori inspectors appointed (1903)

• Sanitary inspectors working among Māori (1904)

• Dr Pomare assisted by Dr Peter Buck in Department of Native Affairs (1905)

• Plunket Society founded (1906)

• Akenehi Hei, first Māori registered nurse and midwife (1908)

• District nurses replace Māori Health Inspectors (1909)

Key Events

• Control of Māori health returned to Department of Public Health (1910)

• Māori Nursing Service established as part of Health Department (1911)

• Reform Party becomes the government (1912)

• Separate registration of Māori birth and deaths introduced (1913)

• School Medical Inspection Service started (1913)

• World War I (1914–1918)

• Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand medical services (1919)

• Proposals for complete reorganisation of Department of Health (1919)

• First Children’s Health Camp established by Dr Elizabeth Gunn to help children malnourished or suffering from tuberculosis (1919)

Legislation

• Dentists Amendment Act 1910

• Public Health Amendment Act 1910

• Census and Statistics Act 1910

• Contagious Diseases Act Repeal Act 1910

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act 1910

• Mental Defectives Act 1911

• Dentists Amendment Act 1911

• Aged and Infirm Persons Protection Act 1912

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1912

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act 1913

• Medical Practitioners Act 1914

• Mental Defectives Amendment Act 1914

• Public Health Amendment Act 1915

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act 1915

• Miner’s Phthisis Act 1915

• Sale of Liquor Restriction Act 1917

• Social Hygiene Act 1917

• Public Health Amendment Act 1918

• Public Health Amendment Act 1919

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act 1919

Public Health

• Infectious diseases control transferred from local authorities to hospital boards (1910)

• Typhoid fever outbreak (Ahipara, Te Puke, South Waikato) (1910)

• Typhoid – Gisborne, Rotorua, Taranaki and Auckland (1911)

• Plague – 11 cases in Auckland (1911) Typhoid – Bay of Islands, Waiapu, Piako and Katikati (1912)

• Typhoid (93 cases) in Waiapu (1913)

• Smallpox epidemic (1913)

• Poliomyelitis made a notifiable disease (1914)

• Typhoid outbreak – Auckland, Raetihi and Bay of Plenty) (1914)

• Typhoid among Māori in Bay of Plenty (1916)

• Poliomyelitis epidemic (1916)

• Influenza pandemic (1918)

• Royal Commission Report to investigate in influenza pandemic (1919)

Health Workforce

• Dr Pomare resigned from Native Medical Services (1910)

• Lord Kitchener advised on the need for an army nursing service (1912)

• Compulsory medical inspection of children in state schools (1912)

• Establishment of New Zealand Army Nursing Service (1915)

Key Events

• Division of Māori Hygiene created in Department of Health (1920)

• Māori Health Councils revived (1920)

• New Zealand divided into 12 Health Districts (1927)

• United Party elected to power (1928)

• Opening of Māori Hospital – Mahinarangi, Turangawaewae, Ngāruawahia (Kingitanga – Tainui) (1929)

Legislation

• Health Act 1920

• Coroners Amendment Act 1920

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act 1920

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act (No 2) 1920 Act 1920

• Dentists Amendment Act 1921

• Mental Defectives Amendment Act 1921

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1922

• Workers' Compensation Act 1922

• Nurses and Midwives Registration Act 1925

• Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act 1926

• Dangerous Drugs Act 1927

• Opticians Act 1928

• Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 1928

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act 1928

• Mental Defectives Amendment Act 1928

Public Health

• Four deaths in six cases of puerperal sepsis in a Auckland Hospital aroused public alarm (1923)

• Poliomyelitis epidemic (1925)

• Introduction of diphtheria immunisation (1925)

• Survey of goitre incidence in schoolchildren by Sir Charles Hercus (1925)

• Dr Blake-McLagan determined endemicity of goitre in New Zealand as manifested by school population (1926)

• Bacillary Dysentery epidemic (1929)

Health Workforce

• Peter Buck replaced as Director of Division of Māori Hygiene by Dr Edward Pohau Ellison (1927)

Key Events

• Māori Hygiene Department abolished (1931)

• Reform Party and United Party form a coalition government (1931)

• Worldwide economic depression begins to affect New Zealand and the Department of Health (1931)

• Hawke’s Bay earthquake (1931)

• Labour Party elected to government (1935)

• Publication of Tuberculosis in the Māori: East Coast of New Zealand (1935)

• New Zealand Federation of Health Camps formed (1936)

• Women’s Health League formed by nurse Ruby Cameron in the Rotorua District (1937)

• Māori death rate: crude rate per thousand population was 24.31 for Māori compared with Pākehā rate of 9.71 (1938)

• World War II (1939–1945)

Legislation

• Coroners Amendment Act 1930

• Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act 1932

• Opticians Amendment Act 1934

• Mental Defectives Amendment Act 1935

• Tobacco-growing Industry Act 1935

• Dentists Act 1936

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act 1936

• Social Security Act 1938

• Pharmacy Act 1939

• Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Act 1939

• Social Security Amendment Act 1939

Public Health

• Immunisation against diphtheria (1937)

• Distribution of milk in schools began (1937)

• Measles epidemic (1938)

• Sanitation campaign for Waikato providing toilets for Māori homes (1939)

Health Workforce

• Medical Research Council of New Zealand established (1937)

Key Events

• General Medical Services Benefit established (1941)

• Social Security extends to maternity benefits (1941)

• Extension of Social Security benefits to physiotherapy (1942)

• Publication of new edition of The Māori Mother and Her Child (1942)

• Māori Councils abolished and Tribal Executives established (1945)

• Extension of outpatients benefits (1945)

• Health benefits extended to include artificial limbs (1947)

• National Party elected (1949)

Legislation

• Health Amendment Act 1940

• Medical Advertisements Act 1942

• Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Act 1943

• The Social Security (District Nursing Service) Regulation 1944

• The Social Security (Hospital Benefits for outpatients) Regulations 1944

• Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Act 1944

• Nurses and Midwives Act 1945

• Māori Social and Economic Advancement Act 1945

• Social Security Amendment Act 1946

• Social Security Amendment Act 1947

• Food and Drug Act 1947

• Health Amendment Act 1947

• Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act 1947

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1948

• Tuberculosis Act 1948

• Physiotherapy Act 1949

• Social Security Amendment Act 1949

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1949

Public Health

• Division of Tuberculosis set up (1942)

• Poliomyelitis epidemic (1947)

Key Events

• Medical Research Council established (1950)

• Survey of goitre incidence in schoolchildren (1951)

• Publication of report by the Consultative Committee on Hospital Reform (1954)

• Labour Party elected (1957)

• Major studies in the inequalities of health between Māori and Pākehā with regard to polio immunity and the incidence and treatment of bronchiectasis (1958)

Legislation

• Medical Research Council Act 1950

• Tuberculosis Amendment Act 1950

• Dieticians Act 1950

• Medical Practitioners Act 1950

• Deaths by Accidents Compensation Amendment Act 1950

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1950

• Mental Defectives Amendment Act 1950

• Health Amendment Act 1951

• Coroners Act 1951

• Deaths by Accidents Compensation Act 1952

• King George the Fifth Memorial Children’s Health Camps Act 1953

• Physiotherapy Amendment Act 1953

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1953

• Medical Amendment Act 1954

• Health Amendment Act 1954

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1954

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1954

• Coroners Amendment Act 1954

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1954

• Dietitians Amendment Act 1955

• Health Act 1956

• Coroners Amendment Act 1956

• Deaths by Accidents Compensation Amendment Act 1956

• Hospitals Act 1957

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1957

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1957

• Nurses and Midwives Amendment Act 1957

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1957

• Tuberculosis Amendment Act 1957

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1958

• Health Amendment Act 1958

• Tuberculosis Amendment Act 1958

• Coroners Amendment Act 1959

• Health Amendment Act 1959

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1959

Public Health

• Extension of the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination for tuberculosis (1951)

• Poliomyelitis epidemic (1952)

• Experiment in Hastings with fluoridation of water supplies (1954)

• Poliomyelitis epidemic (1955)

• Start made with immunising against poliomyelitis with Stalk Vaccine (1956)

Key Events

• National Party elected (1960)

• Publication of the Hunn Report (1960)

• Publication of first Comparative Statistical Report, Māori-European Standards of Health (1960)

• Department of Health sets up Māori Health Committee (1960)

• United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, ratified by New Zealand (1960)

• Protocol of the Convention adopted in 1967 also ratified

• New Zealand Māori Council established (1962)

• Provisional grading of public water supplies by the Board of Health (1962)

• Health Department reorganised into six divisions (1962)

• Reconstitution of Medical Research Council, separated from Department (1965)

• Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966

• Replacement of eight hospital districts with two (1967)

• Review of Hospital and Related services published (1969)

Legislation

• Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act 1960

• Chiropractors Act 1960

• Health Amendment Act 1960

• King George the Fifth Memorial Children's Health Camps Amendment Act 1960

• Nurses and Midwives Amendment Act 1960

• Māori Social and Economic Advancement Amendment Act 1961

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1961

• Chiropractors Amendment Act 1961

• Health Amendment Act 1961

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1961

• Physiotherapy Amendment Act 1961

• Repeal of the Tohunga Suppression Act 1962

• Māori Welfare Act 1962 (renamed Māori Community Development Act 1962)

• Sale of Liquor Act 1962

• Health Amendment Act 1962

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1962

• Opticians Amendment Act 1962

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1962

• Pharmacy Amendment Act (No 2) 1962

• Dental Act 1963

• Burial and Cremation Act 1964

• Human Tissues Act 1964

• Dietitians Amendment Act 1964

• Health Amendment Act 1964

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1964

• Physiotherapy Amendment Act 1964

• Narcotics Act 1965

• Medical Research Council Amendment Act 1965

• Dietitians Amendment Act 1965

• Nurses and Midwives Amendment Act 1965

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1965

• Medical and Dental Auxiliaries Act 1966

• Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966

• Chiropractors Amendment Act 1966

• Dental Amendment Act 1966

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1966

• Opticians Amendment Act 1966

• Sale of Liquor Poll Act 1967

• Health Amendment Act 1967

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1967

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1967

• Nurses and Midwives Amendment Act 1967

• Dental Amendment Act 1968

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1968

• Medical and Dental Auxiliaries Amendment Act 1968

• Medical Practitioners Act 1968

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1968

• Mental Health Services Act 1969

• Food and Drug Act 1969

• Medical and Dental Auxiliaries Amendment Act 1969

• Physiotherapy Amendment Act 1969

Public Health

• Provision of free vaccines for diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus (1960)

• Screening of newborn infants for phenylketonuria (1960)

• Cervical cancer campaign (1963)

• Distribution of milk in schools ended (1966)

Key Events

• Labour Party elected (1972)

• Psychiatric hospitals transferred to Hospital Board’s control (1972)

• International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, ratified by New Zealand (1972)

• ACC scheme started (1974)

• Waitangi Tribunal established (1975)

• National Party elected (1975)

• A question on Māori descent (ethnicity) introduced in Census (1976)

• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ratified by New Zealand (1978)

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by New Zealand (1978)

Legislation

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1970

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1970

• Pharmacy Act 1970

• Health Amendment Act 1970

• Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Amendment Act 1970

• Chiropractors Amendment Act 1970

• Coroners Amendment Act 1970

• Dietitians Amendment Act 1970

• Nurses Act 1971

• Hospital Amendment Act 1971

• Hospital Amendment Act (No.2)1971

• Dental Amendment Act 1971

• Health Amendment Act 1971

• Accident Compensation Act 1972

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1972

• Children’s Health Camps Act 1972

• Health Amendment Act 1972

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1972

• Physiotherapy Amendment Act 1972

• Dietitians Amendment Act 1973

• Health Amendment Act 1973

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1973

• Tuberculosis Amendment Act 1973

• Medical and Dental Auxiliaries Amendment Act 1974

• Physiotherapy Amendment Act 1974

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1975

• Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975

• Nurses Amendment Act 1975

• Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975

• Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975 (Part 2A)

• Misuse of Drugs Act 1975

• Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Amendment Act 1975

• Health Amendment Act 1975

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1975

• Hospitals Amendment Act (No 2) 1975

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1975

• Hospital Amendment Act 1976

• Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council Act 1976

• Coroners Amendment Act 1976

• Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977

• Nurses Act 1977

• Hospital Amendment Act 1977

• Hospitals Amendment Act (No 2) 1977

• Human Rights Commission Act 1977

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1977

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1977

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act (No 2) 1977

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1977

• Health Amendment Act 1978

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1978

• Medical and Dental Auxiliaries Amendment Act 1978

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1978

• Burial and Cremation Amendment Act 1979

• Children's Health Camps Amendment Act 1979

• Dietitians Amendment Act 1979

• Health Amendment Act 1979

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1979

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1979

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1979

Health Workforce

• Nursing Council of New Zealand established (1971)

Policy

• Department of Health, A health service for New Zealand White Paper (1975)

Key Events

• Population-based funding formulae introduced (1983)

• Area Health Boards established (1983)

• Hui Whakaoranga (1984)

• Māori health identified as a health priority in the Ministry of Health (1984)

• Standing Committee on Māori health set up by New Zealand Board of Health (1984)

• Labour Party elected (1984)

• Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, ratified by New Zealand (1985)

• Health Benefits review (1986)

• Formation of joint Treasury and Health Department Hospital and Related Services Taskforce (1987)

• Oranga Māori/Māori Health team ceases function (1987)

• New Zealand Board of Health promoted Treaty of Waitangi as a document that had relevance to health (1987)

• Royal Commission on Social Policy report released (1988)

• Mason Report published concerning procedures in psychiatric hospitals in relation to admissions, discharge or release of patients (1988)

• Report of the Cervical Cancer Inquiry (the Cartwright Report) released (1988)

• Māori members appointed to Area Health Boards (1989)

• Ministerial Advisory Committee on Māori Health (1989)

Legislation

• Health Amendment Act 1980

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1980

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1980

• Medical Research Council Amendment Act 1981

• Medical and Dental Auxiliaries Amendment Act 1981

• Medicines Act 1981

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1981

• Psychologists Act 1981

• Dietitians Amendment Act 1982

• Health Amendment Act 1982

• Health Amendment Act (No 2) 1982

• Health Benefits (Reciprocity with the United Kingdom) Act 1982

• Chiropractors Act 1982

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1982

• Hospitals Amendment Act (No 2) 1982

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1982

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1982

• Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Amendment Act 1982

• Area Health Boards Act 1983

• Burial and Cremation Amendment Act 1983

• Children's Health Camps Amendment Act 1983

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1983

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1983

• Nurses Amendment Act 1983

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act 1985

• Children's Health Camps Amendment Act 1985

• Health Service Personnel Amendment Act 1985

• Health Service Personnel Amendment Act (No 2) 1985

• Medicines Amendment Act 1985

• Mental Health Amendment Act 1985

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1985

• Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Act 1985

• State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act 1986

• Health Benefits (Reciprocity with Australia) Act 1986

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1986

• Hospitals Amendment Act (No 2) 1986

• Hospitals Amendment Act (No 3) 1986

• Health Amendment Act 1987

• Health Amendment Act (No 2) 1987

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1987

• Medical Research Council Amendment Act 1987

• Coroners Act 1988

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act 1988

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act (No 2) 1988

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act (No 3) 1988

• Dental Act 1988

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1988

• Hospitals Amendment Act (No 2) 1988

• Hospitals Amendment Act (No 3) 1988

• Medical and Dental Auxiliaries Amendment Act 1988

• Treaty of Waitangi Amendment Act 1988

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1989

• Hospitals Amendment Act (No 2) 1989

• Sale of Liquor Act 1989

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act 1989

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act (No 2) 1989

• Dental Amendment Act 1989

Health Workforce

• Hui of Māori Doctors (1981)

• National Council of Māori Nurses (1983)

Policy

• Guidance provided to hospitals and medical practices about working with Māori healers (1987)

• Publication of Partnership Perspective (He Tirohanga Rangapu) published by Department of Māori Affairs (1988)

Key Events

• National Party elected (1990)

• Ministerial Committee on the Funding and Provision of Health Services established (1990)

• Health Research Council established (1990)

• Area Health Boards replaced by Commissioners (1991)

• Green and White paper encouraged Māori to provide health care services (1991)

• Ngai Tahu Waitangi Tribunal report (1991)

• Te Roroa Waitangi Tribunal report (1991)

• Ethnicity question reintroduced into the NZ Census (1991)

• Implementation of Ka Awatea regime by Te Puni Kokiri (1991)

• User charges introduced to public hospitals (1992)

• Public Health Commission established (1993)

• Crown Health Enterprises established (1993)

• Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) – four established: Northern RHA: established three Māori coordinating and co-purchasing organisations called MAPOs funding Māori health providers; Midland RHA: established four joint Māori venture boards; Central RHA: established 50 health nests called ‘Hauora Oranga’ involving Māori health providers; and Southern RHA: worked with Ngai Tahu. (1993)

• PHARMAC (Pharmaceutical Management Agency established (1993)

• Te Kete Hauora, the Māori Health Directorate, established in Ministry of Health (1993)

• Department of Health became Ministry of Health (1993)

• Transitional Assistance Grant Scheme established (1993)

• Introduction of Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) Representation (1993)

• Health Research Council funded two Māori research units including establishing a Māori Health Committee (1993)

• Area Health Boards disestablished (1993)

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by New Zealand (1993)

• Public re-emergence of Māori healers including the establishment of Ngā Ringa Whakahaere ō te Iwi Māori (1993)

• Health and Disability Commissioner established (1994)

• Three major hui held to discuss Māori health: Te Ara Ahu Whakamua; Ma Te Miori E Puri Te Maimoatanga Māori; and Hui Whai Maramatanga Whai Oranga (1994/1995)

• Public Health Commission disestablished (1995)

• National Kaitiaki Group established – Māori control and protection of Māori women’s cervical screening data (1995)

Legislation

• Smoke-free Environment Act 1990

• Smoke-free Environment Amendment Act 1990

• Nurses Amendment Act 1990

• New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990

• Health Research Council Act 1990

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act 1990

• Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Amendment Act 1990

• Medicines Amendment Act 1990

• Medicines Amendment Act (No 2) 1990

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act 1991

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act (No 2) 1991

• Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992

• Area Health Boards Amendment Act 1992

• Health Reforms (Transitional Provisions) Act 1993

• Health Amendment Act 1993

• Health Amendment Act (No.2) 1993

• Health Amendment Act (No 3) 1993

• Health and Disability Services Act 1993

• Human Rights Act 1993

• Hospitals Amendment Act 1993

• Privacy Act 1993

• Cancer Registry Act 1993

• Health Sector (Transfers) Act 1993

• Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994

• Health Amendment Act 1994

• Health Amendment Act (No 2) 1994

• Health Amendment Act (No 3) 1994

• Dental Amendment Act 1994

• Dietitians Amendment Act 1994

• Nurses Amendment Act 1994

• Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Amendment Act 1994

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1994

• Psychologists Amendment Act 1994

• Medicines Practitioners Act 1995

• Health (Cervical Screening (Kaitiaki) Regulations 1995

• Health and Disability Services Amendment Act 1995

Health Workforce

• Māori midwives meeting (1993)

• Te Ao Mārama (Māori Dentists and Oral Health Workers Association) formed (1995)

• Government approves health care provider purchaser of rongoā services in Napier (1995)

• Māori Health Scholarships established (now known as Hauora Māori Scholarships) (1995)

Policy

• Health Services Taskforce Report published (1991)

• An Option for Māori released following the Green and White papers (1991)

• Policy statement on Māori health released (1992)

• Whaia te ora mo te iwi: strive for the good health of the people: government’s response to Māori issues in the health sector – Health and Disability Services Bill (1992)

• Te Ara Ahu Whakamua: Strategic Direction for Māori Health published by Te Puni Kokiri (1993)

Key Events

• Mental Health Commission established (1996)

• Hospital and Health Services established (1996)

• Transitional Health Authority established 1997 and disestablished 1998

• Vision 2020 project established to increase number of Māori doctors (1997)

• Māori Health Commission established 1997 and disestablished 1999

• Hospitals required to have a booking system for elective surgery (1998)

• Health Funding Authority established (1998)

• National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability Services established (1998)

• Labour Party elected (1999)

• Focus of Patients: Labour on Health policy released (1999)

Legislation

• Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Amendment Act 1996

• Smoke-free Environment Amendment Act 1997

• Health Reforms (Transitional Provisions) Amendment Act 1997

• Health Amendment Act 1998

• Health and Disability Services Amendment Act 1998

• Mental Health Commission Act 1998

• Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1999

• Medicines Amendment Act 1999

• Health Benefits (Reciprocity with Australia) Act 1999

• Medical Practitioners Amendment Act 1999

• Chiropractors Amendment Act 1999

• Dental Amendment Act 1999

• Dietitians Amendment Act 1999

• Medical Auxiliaries Amendment Act 1999

• Pharmacy Amendment Act 1999

• Physiotherapy Amendment Act 1999

• Psychologists Amendment Act 1999

Health Workforce

• Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Māori Medical Practitioners Association) established (1996)

• Māori Provider Development Scheme introduced (1997)

Policy

• Co-ordinated Care for Māori: Issues for Development released (1996)

• Child Health Strategy released (1998)

• Standards of Rongoā healing published (1999)

• Rural Health Policy released (1999)

Key Events

• National Health Committee established (2000)
• Health Funding Authority and Hospital and Health Services disestablished (2000)
• District Health Boards established (2001)
• WAI 692 Napital Hospital and Health Report Services (2001)

Legislation

• New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000
• Health Sector (Transfers) Amendment Act 2000
• Physiotherapy Amendment Act 2000
• Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001
• Dietitians Amendment Act 2001

Health Workforce

• Ngā Maia (Māori Midwives Aotearoa) established (2000)
• Tae Ora Tinana (Māori Physiotherapists Organisation) established (2001)
• Health Workforce Advisory Committee (HWAC) established (2001)

Policy

• New Zealand Health Strategy released (2000)

• New Zealand Disability Policy released (2001)

• Improving Māori Health Policy released (2001)

• Primary Health Care Strategy released (2001)

• Kia Piki te Ora Māori Suicide Prevention Strategy released (2001)

• The New Zealand Palliative Care Strategy released (2001)

• A National Strategic Framework for Alcohol and Drug Services released (2001)

• Minimum Requirements for Primary Health Organisations released (2001)

Key Events

• Population-based funding formula introduced (2003)

Legislation

• Health and Disability Commissioner Amendment Act 2003
• Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003
• Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Cover and Rehabilitation) Act 2003
• Medicines Amendment Act 2003
• Medicines Amendment Act (No 2) 2003
• Medicines Amendment Act (No 3) 2003
• Gambling Act 2003
• Health Research Council Amendment Act 2003
• Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Act 2003
• Burial and Cremation Amendment Act 2003
• Health and Disability Services (Safety) Amendment Act 2003
• New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Act 2003

Health Workforce

• Māori pharmacists meeting (2003)

Policy

• A Guide for Establishing Primary Health Organisations published by the Ministry of Health (2002)

• Health of Older People Strategy 2002 released (2002)

• He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy released (2002)

• Te Puawaitanga, Māori Mental Health National Strategic Framework released (2002)

• Whakatātaka: Māori Health Action Plan 2002– 2005 released (2002)

• PHARMAC Māori Responsiveness Strategy launch (2002)

• HIV/AIDS Action Plan Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy released (2003)

Key Events

• Māori Party established (2004)
• Labour Party elected (2005)
• WAI 1315 Primary Health Organisations Claim lodged (2005)
• Primary Health Organisation Performance Management Programme established (2005)

Legislation

• Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004
• Coroners Amendment Act 2004
• Gambling Amendment Act 2005
• Gambling Amendment Act (No 2) 2005
• Health Amendment Act 2005
• Health and Disability Services (Safety) Amendment Act 2005
• Medicines (Specified Biotechnical Procedures) Amendment Act 2005
• Medicines Amendment Act 2005

Health Workforce

• Māori Health and Disability Committee (HWAC) established (2005)

Public Health

• Meningococcal B immunisation offered to anyone under age 20 due to epidemic (2004)

Policy

• Healthy Eating: Healthy Action: Oranga Kai: Oranga Pumau Implementation Plan: 2004–2010 released (2004)

• Te Tāhuhu: Improving Mental Health 2005–2015: The Second New Zealand Mental Health and Addiction Plan released (2005)

• The New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan 2005 – 2010 released (2005)

• Tauawhitia te Wero: Embracing the Challenge: National mental health and addiction workforce development plan 2006-2009 released (2005)

Key Events

• Very Low Cost Access (VLCA) scheme introduced (2006)
• National health targets introduced (2007)

Legislation

• Social Security (Long-term Residential Care) Amendment Act 2006
• Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006
• Coroners Act 2006
• Health Amendment Act 2006
• Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Repeal Act 2007
• Coroners Act 1988 Amendment Act 2007
• Coroners Act 2006 Amendment Act 2007
• Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2007
• Health and Disability Commissioner Amendment Act 2007
• Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Act 2007
• Mental Health Commission Amendment Act 2007

Health Workforce

• Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā o Aotearoa (Māori Pharmacists’ Association) established (2006)
• Health Workforce Advisory Committee disestablished (2006)
• Māori Health and Disability Committee (HWAC) disestablished (2006)
• Workforce Taskforce established Ministry of Health (2006)

Policy

• Whakatātaka Tuarua: Māori Health Action Plan 2006–2011 released (2006)

• Raranga Tupuake: The Māori Health Workforce Development Plan released (2006)

• Treaty of Waitangi statements no longer included in Ministry of Health policies, action plans or contracts. Focus instead on improving Māori health outcomes and reducing health inequalities for Māori (2006)

• New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy released (2006)

• Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand Mental Health Survey published (2006)

• Te Kōkiri: The Mental Health and Addiction Action Plan 2006-2015 released (2006)

• Good Oral Health for All, for Life – A strategic vision for Oral health in New Zealand strategy released (2006)

• Publication Review of Māori Child Oral Health Services published (2006)

• Te Uru Kahikatea: Public Health Workforce Development Plan released (2007)

• E Ara a Tauwhaiti Whakarae – National Māori Public Health Workforce Development Plan released (2007)

Key Events

• National Party elected (2008)
• Ministerial Review Group established (2008)
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by New Zealand (2008)
• Free doctors’ visits for under-6s (2008)
• Whānau Ora Taskforce established (2009)
• Meeting the Challenge: Enhancing Sustainability and the Consumer Experience within the Current Legislative Framework for Health and Disability Services in New Zealand report released by the Ministerial Review Group. (Also known as the Horn Report) (2009)
• Māori Affairs Select Committee initiates an inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Māori (2009)

Legislation

• Human Tissue Act 2008
• Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Amendment Act 2008
• Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Act 2008
• Disability (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) Act 2008

Health Workforce

• Voluntary Bonding Scheme established (2008)
• Health Workforce New Zealand established (2009)
• Māori Workforce Development Programme Fund established (2009)

Policy

• Te Puāwaiwhero the Second Māori Mental Health and Addiction National Strategic Framework 2008−2015 released (2008)

• New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2008–2012 released (2008)

• Te Ao Auahatanga Māori Health Innovation Fund established (2009)

• Better, Sooner, More Convenient policy (2009)

• Whānau Ora: Report of the Taskforce on Whānau-Centred Initiatives released (2009)

Key Events

• Māori Affairs Select Committee inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Maori report published (2010)
• Health Quality and Safety Commission established (2010)
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ratified by New Zealand (2010)
• National Party elected (2011)
• Canterbury earthquakes (2011)
• Ko Aotearoa Tēnei: Wai 262 Fauna and Flora report released (2011)
• Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme started (2011)
• Smokefree 2025 goal adopted (2011)

Legislation

• New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Act 2010
• Coroners Amendment Act 2010
• Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (Storage) Amendment Act 2010
• Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Act 2011

Health Workforce

• Kia Ora Hauora launched (2010)
• Te Kāhui Rongoā Trust (National rongoā governance body) established (2011)

Policy

• Uia Tonutia: Māori Disability Research Agenda released (2011)

Key Events

• Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project announced (2012)
• Better Public Services Targets announced (2012)
• Mental Health Commission disestablished with a Mental Health Commissioner placed in the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner (2012)

Legislation

• Health and Disability Amendment Act 2012
• Psychoactive Substances Act 2013

Policy

• The Māori Disability Action Plan for Disability Support Services 2012 to 2017 released (2012)

• Children’s Action Plan released (2012)

• Rising to the Challenge: The Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012–2017 released (2013)

• New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2013 – 2016 released (2013)

Key Events

• Whānau Ora Commissioning agencies established (2014)
• National Party elected (2014)
• Waka Houroa fund launched to support the prevention of suicide in Māori and Pacific communities (2014)
• Ministry on the Move transformation programme commenced (2015)
• Childhood Obesity Plan launched (2015)

Legislation

• The Vulnerable Children Act 2014

Policy

• New Zealand Cancer Plan: Better, faster cancer care 2015–2018 strategy released (2014)

• Tikanga ā-Rongoā – Rongoā standard released (2014)

• The Guide to He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy released (2014)

• Zero fee doctors’ visits for children aged under 13 introduced (2015)

• Implementing Medicines New Zealand 2015 to 2020 – an action plan to the Medicines Strategy released (2015)

• National Drug Policy 2015 to 2020 released (2015)

• Living Well with Diabetes strategy released (2015)

Key Events

• Raising Healthy Kids Target introduced (2016)
• Health Literacy Programmes introduced (2016)
• National Health Board disestablished (2016)
• National Health Committee disestablished (2016)
• Te Kete Hauora disestablished (2016)
• Waitangi Tribunal – Health Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry started (2016)
• Kaikoura earthquake (2016)
• Need to talk? 1737’ a new, free 24/7 four digit phone and text number was launched (2017)
• National Bowel Screening Programme rollout begins (2017)

Legislation

• Radiation Safety Act 2016
• New Zealand Public Health and Disability (Southern DHB) Elections Act 2016
• Home and Community Support (Payment for Travel Between Clients) Settlement Act 2016
• Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Standardised Advertising) Amendment Act 2016
• Smoke-free Environments Regulations 2017
• Substance Addiction (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 2017
• Care and Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Act 2017
• Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (Designation of Oral Health Therapy as Health Profession) Order 2017

Health Workforce

• Director-General of Health Chai Chuah resigns (2017)

Public Health

• 20th anniversary of the Green Prescription initiative (2017)

• Introduction of free chickenpox vaccination for 15 month olds (2017)

• National Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) prevention programme launched (2017)

• Auckland mumps outbreak (2017)

Policy

• The New Zealand Health Strategy refreshed (2016)

• New Zealand Disability and Policy Strategy 2016–2026 released (2016)

• Pharmacy Action Plan 2016 to 2026 released (2016)

• Taking Action on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder: 2016 to 2019: An Action Plan released (2016)

• National Healthy Food and Drink Policy released (2016)

• Healthy Ageing Strategy released (2016 Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Action Plan 2017 to 2021 released (2017)

• New Zealand Health Research Strategy 2017 to 2027 released (2017)

• Increasing Decreasing Organ Donation and Transplantation: A National Strategy released (2017)

• Transforming Respite: Disability Support Services Respite Strategy 2017 to 2022 released (2017)

• Palliative Care Action Plan (2017)

• National Radiation Oncology Plan 2017 to 2021 (2017)

• New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan: A framework for action (2017)

• New Zealand Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan (2017)

• Faiva Ora 2016–2021 National Pasifika Disability Plan (2017)

Key Events

• Online Death Documents service launched (1st Mar 2018)

• Major review of health system launched (29th May 2018) - "The Review of the New Zealand Health and Disability Sector will be wide-ranging and firmly focused on a fairer future. It will look at the way we structure, resource and deliver health services – not just for the next few years but for decades to come."

• Celebrating 25 years of PHARMAC (26th June 2018)

• Wai 2575 Hearings get underway (15th Oct 2018) - The Waitangi Tribunal Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry (Wai 2575) will hear all claims concerning grievances relating to health services and outcomes of national significance for Māori.

• Health Coalition Aotearoa Launched (5th Nov 2018) - This mission of this organisation is to provide a collective voice and expert support for effective policies and actions to reduce the harm from tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy foods and to reduce inequities through a focus on the determinants of health.

• He Ara Oranga : Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction Released (28th Nov 2018)

• Zero fees for Children under 14 years in General Practice Services Launched (1st Dec 2018)

• Establishment Medicinal Cannabis Advisory Group (1st Dec 2018)

Legislation

• Artificial Limb Service Act 2018
• Residential Care and Disability Support Services Act 2018
• Residential Care and Disability Support Services Regulations 2018
• Family Violence Act 2018
• Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act 2018

Health Workforce

• Mr Stephen McKernan starts as Acting Director-General (5th Feb 2018)

• Dr Ashley Bloomfield starts as Director-General (11th June 2018)

Public Health

• Standardised Packaging begins in 2018 - The Government has approved regulations which will bring into force a tobacco standardised packaging regime from 14 March, 2018. Six weeks is allowed for old stock to be distributed and a further six weeks for that old stock to be sold, meaning that after 6 June 2018 only standardised packs will be able to be sold.

• Targeted vaccination programme in Northland to control an outbreak of meningococcal disease (26th Nov 2018)

Policy

• Where I Live; How I Live – Disability Support Services Community Residential Support Services Strategy 2018 to 2020 (released 28 Mar 2018)

• Whāia Te Ao Mārama 2018 to 2022: The Māori Disability Action Plan (released 4th Apr 2018)

• Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Action Plan 2017–2021 (released 23rd Apr 2018)

• Change to Family Funded Care Policy (19th Sep 2018) - On 19 September 2018, Cabinet Social Wellbeing Committee (SWC) agreed to announce that the Government intends to make changes to health Funded Family Care policies including the intention to repeal Part 4A of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 (Part 4A), and to undertake stakeholder engagement.

Key Events

• Chief Ombudsman commences two investigations into the Ministry of Health and its services for people with intellectual disabilities (14th Feb 2019)

• Christchurch mosque shootings (15th Mar 2019) - On Friday 15 March 2019, a gunman entered two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. He shot 91 people, killing 51 and wounding 40. A number of other people were physically injured, and a large group of New Zealanders watched the video of the attack, which was livestreamed and shared widely on Facebook.

• The stage one report of Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry Wai 2575 was released to the public on Monday 1 July 2019

• Surgical Mesh Forums Start (22 July 2019) - The Ministry of Health's Director-General Dr Ashley Bloomfield has welcomed the chance for New Zealand men and women harmed by surgical mesh to participate in restorative justice forums.

• Health and Disability System Review - Interim Report Released 3rd September 2019

• Establishment of Suicide Prevention Office (27th Nov 2019)

• Cancer Control Agency Opened 3rd December 2019

• Whakaari/White Island eruption (9th Dec 2019) - The volcanic eruption on December 9 in which 21 people lost their lives set in motion a massive national and international response in which the National Burn Service, hosted at Middlemore Hospital, played a key role, alongside district health boards, first responders and many more health staff involved in the wider response.

Legislation

• Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Amendment Act 2019

• Family Violence Regulations 2019

• Gambling (Problem Gambling Levy) Regulations 2019

• Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (Designation of Paramedic Services as Health Profession) Order 2019

• End of Life Choice Act 2019

• Organ Donors and Related Matters Act 2019

• Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019

Health Workforce

• Carla na Nagara appointed as Director of the Suicide Prevention Office (21st Oct 2019)

• Established of the Health Infrastructure Unit (21st Oct 2019)

Public Health

• Measles Outbreak - Auckland (1st Mar 2019)

• Vaping Facts website launched (9th Jun 2019)

• The Government announces it will create a standalone Crown entity to regulate drinking water in New Zealand (25th Oct 2019)

• New Zealand women to start cervical screening at 25 (14th Nov 2019)

• 50th Anniversary of Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme (12th Dec 2019)

• COVID-19 Outbreak starting in Wuhan China (31st Dec 2012)

Policy

• Maternity Action Plan 2019-2023 (2019)

• National Poliomyelitis Response Plan for New Zealand (2019)

• National Syphilis Action Plan (2019)

• Every Life Matters - He Tapu te Oranga o ia Tangata: Suicide Prevention Strategy 2019–2029 and Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2019–2024 (2019)

• Mahi Aroha: Carers’ Strategy Action Plan 2019-2023 (2019)

Key Events

• WHO declares novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease) constitutes a public health emergency (31st Jan 2020)

• Establishment the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme (1st Apr 2020) - The Medicinal Cannabis Scheme (the Scheme) started on 1 April 2020 with the commencement of the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations 2019. The Medicinal Cannabis Agency (the Agency) administers the Scheme, which includes a licensing regime for medicinal cannabis cultivation, manufacture and supply. The Scheme also includes the requirement for all medicinal cannabis products under the Scheme to consistently meet minimum standards of quality before they can be supplied.

• The Health Minister released the Health and Disability System Review final report (16th June 2020)

• Labour Party Re-elected (6th Nov 2020)

• Referendum on the End of Life Choice Act 2019 passes (6th Nov 2020)

• Cannabis Legalisation and Control referendum does not pass (6th Nov 2020)

Legislation (also see COVID-19 Legislation Section)

• Abortion Legislation Act 2020

• Smoke-free Environments (Prohibiting Smoking in Motor Vehicles Carrying Children) Amendment Act 2020

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Act 2020

• Public Service Act 2020

• Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020

• Drug and Substance Checking Legislation Act 2020

Health Workforce

• Paramedics formally regulated under the Health Practitioner Competence Assurance Act (1st Jan 2020)

• Diana Sarfati appointed Chief Executive of Cancer Control Agency (19th May 2020)

• Minister of Health Dr David Clark Resigns (2nd July 2020)

• Hon Chris Hipkins takes on Health Portfolio (2nd July 2020)

• Andrew Little become the Minister of Health (6th Nov 2020)

• Chris Hipkins becomes COVID Response Minister (6th Nov 2020)

Public Health (also see COVID-19 Public Health Section)

• ‘High Alert’ website launched to help reduce drug harm (30th June 2020)

• NZ launched a Measles Catch-up Campaign (31st July 2020)

Policy (also see COVID-19 Policy Section)

• New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019–2029 (released 3rd Feb 2020)

• Ola Manuia: Pacific Health and Wellbeing Action Plan 2020–2025 (3rd Jun 2020)

• Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020-2025 (31st Jul 2020)

• New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care (17th Dec 2020)

COVID-19 Public Health

• WHO declares novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease) constitutes a public health emergency (31st Jan 2020)

• Repatriated New Zealanders from Wuhan stay at a temporary isolation facility at Whangaparaoa (5th Feb 2020)

• First confirmed case of COVID-19 New Zealand (28th Feb 2020)

• All of government National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) stood up in responses to COVID-19 (10th Mar 2020)

• COVID-19 becomes a quarantinable disease (11th Mar 2020)

• All arrivals from overseas (except Pacific) required to self-isolate for 14 days (14th Mar 2020)

• All indoor gatherings of more than 100 people are to be cancelled (19th Mar 2020)

• NZ Borders close to all but New Zealand citizens and permanent residents (19th Mar 2020)

• The Government introduces the 4-tiered Alert Level system to help combat COVID-19 (21st Mar 2020)

• New Zealand is at Alert Level 2 (21st Mar 2020)

• New Zealand moved to Alert Level 3 (23rd Mar 2020)

• State of Emergency Declared due to COVID-19 (25th Mar 2020)

• New Zealand moves to Alert Level 4 (25th Mar 2020)

• COVID-19 (Epidemic Response) Select Committee Established (25th Mar 2020)

• First COVID-19 related death in New Zealand (29th Mar 2020)

• Managed Isolation and Quarantine Begins (9th Apr 2020)

• Rapid Audit of Contact Tracing for COVID-19 in New Zealand report published (20th Apr 2020)

• New Zealand moves to Alert Level 3 (27th Apr 2020)

• Establishment of the Contact Tracing Assurance Committee (30th Apr 2020)

• New Zealand moves to Alert Level 2 (13th May 2020)

• NZ COVID Tracer app launched (20th May 2020)

• Āwhina app launched - allows health workers to access up-to-date COVID-19 information (27th May 2020)

• New Zealand moves to Alert Level 1 (8th June 2020)

• Air Commodore Darryn (Digby) Webb and Minister of Housing Hon Megan Woods are given responsibility for overseeing managed isolation and quarantine facilities (19th June 2020)

• Auckland moves to Alert Level 3. The rest of New Zealand moves to Alert Level 2 (12th Aug 2020)

• Auckland moves to Alert Level 2 joining the rest of New Zealand (31st Aug 2020)

• All of New Zealand (except Auckland) move to Alert Level 1 (21st Sep 2020)

• Managed Isolation Allocation System goes live (5th Oct 2020)

• Auckland moves to Alert Level 1 (7th Oct 2020)

• Charges for some users of Managed Isolation and Quarantine are introduced (11 Aug 2020)

COVID-19 Policy

• COVID-19 Health and Disability System Response Plan (15th Apr 2020)

• Initial COVID-19 Māori Response Action Plan (16th Apr 2020)

• Stamp it out: Our plan to respond to new COVID-19 cases in the community (1st Jul 2020)

• Updated COVID-19 Māori Response Action Plan (9th Jul 2020)

• Rapid response to cases of COVID-19 in the community (1st Aug 2020)

• COVID-19 Psychosocial and Mental Wellbeing Plan (21st Dec 2020)

COVID- 19 Legislation

• COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Legislation Act 2020

• COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020

• COVID-19 Response (Requirements For Entities—Modifications and Exemptions) Act 2020

• COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Act 2020

• COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Act 2020

• COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Act (No 2) 2020

• COVID-19 Public Health Response (Managed Isolation and Quarantine Charges) Regulations 2020

Key Events

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission launched as an independent Crown entity (9th Feb 2021)

• Review of PHARMAC announced (2rd Mar 2021)

• Announcement of New Health System for New Zealand, including the development of Health New Zealand, the Māori Health Authority, and the Public Health Agency (21st Apr 2021)

• Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand (SCENZ) group formed (2nd Aug 2021)- this is the statutory body for the assisted dying service

• Launched of the Health System Indicators framework (6th Aug 2021) - The Government’s reform of the health system took a big step forward with the unveiling of the system that will be used to hold it accountable and ensure it delivers more equitable healthcare for all New Zealanders.

• Assisted dying health service established (8th Nov 2021)

• Pharmac Review Interim Report Released (2nd Dec 2021)

• Launch of Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard (8th Dec 2021) - The Minister of Health has approved the updated Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard (NZS 8134:2021) (‘the 2021 Standard’) for use under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001. On 28 February 2022 the 2021 Standard will come into effect. The Minister of Health approved the 2021 Standard for use under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001 on 24 June 2021.

Legislation

• Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Order 2021

• Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Regulations 2021

• Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Information Collection) Regulations 2021

• Medicines (Assisted Dying Medications) Amendment Regulations 2021

• Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (Designation of Chinese Medicine Services as Health Profession) Order 2021

• Water Services Act 2021 - The Water Services Act gives Taumata Arowai the legal authority to carry out its duties as New Zealand’s dedicated water regulator. This represents a major transformational advance for the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

• Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill passes first reading (27th Oct 2021)

Health Workforce

• Sharon Shea has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Māori Health Authority (1st Sept 2021)

• Tipa Mahuta has been appointed Co-Chair of the Māori Health Authority (1st Sept 2021)

• Rob Campbell has been appointed as the Chair of Health New Zealand (23rd Sept 2021)

• Chinese medicine to be formally regulated - New Zealanders consulting practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine can be sure they are properly trained and registered, thanks to a new law coming into force (30 Oct 2021)

• Pharmacist prescribers can now prescribe more medicines (10th Nov 2021)