Māori health has been made a priority in the radical healthcare changes today.

Health Minister Andrew Little announced a new Maori health authority will be created with the power to commission health services, develop policy and monitor Maori health.

Māori leaders say it's the shot in the arm needed for Maori to finally get equity in healthcare.

Jacquie Kidd, associate professor at AUT who specialises in Maori health research told Heather du Plessis-Allan a Māori Health Authority will help break down barriers to healthcare that many Māori face.

“It’s fixing generations of inequitable outcomes by changing what goes into the beginning of health services.

“There’s often a reluctance from Māori to go to GPs and the health sector because of the experiences that happen in there.”

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