Health Coalition Aotearoa is deeply concerned by the Government’s push to invite foreign investors into Aotearoa New Zealand’s hospital infrastructure. Public healthcare belongs to the people—when services stay in public hands, they remain accountable to communities and accessible to all. When private companies take control, profits take priority, costs rise, and public influence disappears.
The Government’s shift toward privatisation must be challenged. While private providers have long played a role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s health sector, the public system must continue to lead, set standards, and ensure fair access. Engaging with the private sector may have a place, but responsibility for delivering equitable healthcare cannot be outsourced. This is what New Zealanders expect.
Polling shows nearly half of New Zealanders believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, with healthcare topping their concerns—above even the economy and cost of living. Private-public partnerships (PPPs) in healthcare have a chequered history worldwide, and expert advice is clear: proceed with extreme caution. Too often, these deals serve corporate interests rather than communities.
Successive governments have failed to manage health infrastructure efficiently or equitably. This is not just a funding issue—it’s a matter of political will. Too many populations in Aotearoa still struggle to access healthcare. The Government must be transparent about its priorities: if ensuring fair and equal access isn’t at the top, what is?
If partnerships must be explored, they should prioritise local solutions. The rising Māori economy offers iwi-led enterprises deeply invested in community wellbeing. These should be the Government’s first choice—not foreign investors who extract wealth while offering one-size-fits-all solutions. Yet even iwi-public partnerships come with equity challenges, as many iwi still await settlements and lack the resources to participate fully.
For PPPs to succeed, competent governance and a long-term vision are essential. Unfortunately, this Government appears more focused on cutting costs than ensuring healthcare equity. Without clear strategic goals beyond “the economy,” these partnerships risk becoming just another way to shift costs onto users, worsening already stark health inequities.
Health Coalition Aotearoa urges the government to protect New Zealand’s public healthcare system. Investing in our own people, our own solutions, and our own future is the only way to build a fair, effective, and accessible health system for all.
