Indigenous participation in the 'new' New Zealand health structure.

Objectives: This paper presents preliminary evaluative findings from research on key areas of concern to Māori and forms part of a wider project on the 2001 health system reforms in New Zealand. The paper reports on the development and implementation of the Māori Health Strategy, representation in decision making at governance level in District Health Boards, the inclusion of the Treaty of Waitangi in legislation and workforce issues.

Methods: Key informant interviews with 35 Māori and non-Māori respondents, in addition to data from five case study districts, were thematically analysed to gain an understanding of views on the health system reforms to date.