Race-based healthcare in Northland

According to the NZ Herald, the Government’s controversial health tool that prioritises Māori and Pasifika patients for surgeries has been used in Northland since May, despite Te Whatu Ora Tai telling the Northern Advocate on the 21st of June that it is not.

What’s referred to as the “equity adjuster waitlist policy” gives priority to Māori and Pasifika ahead of European New Zealanders and other ethnicities in urology and orthopaedic healthcare in Northland since May 2023.