# Andrew Little

### Context

As Health Minister, Little fronted the government's 2021 plan to replace the 20 district health boards with a national Health New Zealand structure, alongside a Māori Health Authority and a strengthened public-health function. (Source: [New Zealand Government / Beehive — 2021-04-21](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/major-reforms-will-make-healthcare-accessible-all-nzers).)

Cabinet formally considered and agreed the reform direction in March 2021 before implementing legislation was introduced later that year. (Source: [New Zealand Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet — 2021-03-29](https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/cabinet-decision-cab-21-sub-0092-health-and-disability-system-review-proposals-reform).)

### Record

The Pae Ora health-reform program sought to reduce geographic fragmentation and shift more responsibility to national planning and commissioning. (Source: [New Zealand Government / Beehive — 2021-04-21](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/major-reforms-will-make-healthcare-accessible-all-nzers).)

The government introduced the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) legislation in October 2021 to establish the new institutional architecture. (Source: [New Zealand Government / Beehive — 2021-10-20](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/health-reforms-bill-introduced-parliament).)

### Consequences

The restructuring changed the governance model for a major public service, making national coordination and equity explicit objectives while also creating large implementation demands. (Source: [New Zealand Government / Beehive — 2021-04-21](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/major-reforms-will-make-healthcare-accessible-all-nzers).)

Because the reform changed institutions rather than a single benefit or program, its consequences require long-run measurement of access, waiting times, workforce capacity, health equity, and administrative performance. (Source: [New Zealand Government / Beehive — 2021-10-20](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/health-reforms-bill-introduced-parliament).)

## Dated facts

_No published facts on this page yet._

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/people/andrew-little