39055 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

39055 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter January to March 2024 on the recommended focus area ‘Te Aho o Te Kahu to work in partnership with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Māori Health Authority | Te Aka Whai Ora to provide national strategic and structural leadership of the cancer control system. This will include leadership structures that enable strong leadership from Māori, clinicians and people with lived experience of cancer’ under ‘System-wide solution 2: National system leadership’ in the Cancer Control Agency ’Cancer Services Planning’ document?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that the Cancer Control Agency - Te Aho o Te Kahu has a range of established mechanisms across leaderships structures within Health New Zealand (Health NZ). I am advised that during this quarter (January to March 2024) these include: - Cancer Control Agency CE meets with Health NZ ELT fortnightly. - Monthly meetings held between Health NZ Cancer Operational Team and Cancer Control Agency. - Monthly meeting between Cancer Control Agency leadership and Health NZ Hospital Specialist Services leadership. - Regular engagement with Health NZ teams determined by identified priorities, and Health NZ performance expectations. - Meeting of He Ara Tanagata.