In the wake of recent concerns raised about the uncertain future of Iwi Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs), an important question has surfaced: Do we still need them? Especially when Māori health providers continue to deliver successful, community-driven services for Māori.

To answer that, we need to look at what these Boards are and what they're not.

What Are Iwi Māori Partnership Boards?
IMPBs were introduced as part of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. Their goal? To give Māori a direct voice in health system decision-making. These boards are made up of iwi and hapū representatives who help shape local health priorities, influence funding decisions, and advocate for the needs of Māori communities across Aotearoa.

In theory, they’re a vital piece of the puzzle in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi — a way to ensure Māori not only receive services but help design and guide the systems delivering them.

But that vision is now under threat.

Concerns have been raised that funding for IMPBs is uncertain, and the boards risk being stripped of the resources needed to be effective. Without proper investment, their ability to influence change becomes limited — reducing them to symbolic roles rather than genuine instruments of partnership and accountability.

Contrast that with Māori-led, community-based providers doing the mahi every day. They deliver health, housing, mental wellbeing and whānau support services, grounded in kaupapa Māori values and guided by the voices of their people.  Their success is no accident and is rooted in:
•    Deep trust and connection within their communities
•    Responsive and culturally grounded care
•    Strong leadership and governance
•    Decades of lived experience delivering results

So the question arises — if these providers are already doing the job, do we still need Iwi Māori Partnership Boards?  The answer is not either/or.

While Māori led providers meet immediate and practical needs, IMPBs are about system-level change. They exist to ensure the voices of Māori shape the entire health system, not just through service delivery, but through policy, planning, and funding.

Here's why IMPBs still matter.

Representation: They bring iwi and hapū voices to the table where big decisions are made.

Equity and accountability: They advocate for fairer outcomes and help hold Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora accountable.

Treaty partnership: They represent a formal commitment to shared governance — not just consultation.

But to do any of that, they must be properly resourced and empowered.

We need both strong, community-based Māori providers and well-supported Iwi Māori Partnership Boards. One delivers services with manaakitanga and whakapapa; the other ensures the entire health system respects and responds to Māori voices and needs.

Undermining the boards risks weakening the long-term vision for Pae Ora. Supporting both approaches honours the intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and gives Māori not just access to services, but a hand on the steering wheel.

Final Thought From The Culture and Design Lab
This is not about bureaucracy vs. community. It’s about building a system where both work in partnership, for better health and better futures for Māori.