7. Question No. 7—Health (Māori Health)ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health)Question No. 7—Health (Māori Health)7. ARENA WILLIAMS (Labour—Manurewa) to the Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health): How is the Government supporting Māori primary and community care providers to lift their capability capacity and service sustainability?Hon PEENI HENARE (Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health)): Budget 2022 provides an additional $30 million over four years to support Māori primary and community care provider development through the Māori Provider Development Scheme (MPDS). This is the biggest uplift to the MPDS since it was established in 1997 and it will help secure the primary and community care innovation developed by Māori health providers during the COVID-19 pandemic and will help them transition those new capabilities into the new health system. The funding will also provide back-office support to providers and help them sustain their capital infrastructure and it will support the hiring and retention of a qualified and trained workforce in the development of new service delivery methods specifically for Māori which we know make a big difference to how our community engages with the health system.Arena Williams: How will this funding support equity in the health system?Hon PEENI HENARE: Māori providers play an essential role in delivering kaupapa Māori - based health and social services in our communities. They both deliver services and provide a conduit for community engagement and participation for Māori whānau because of their trusted relationships in the community. Most of these providers operate as non-profit organisations. Their primary funding is project-specific investment that generally covers direct cost and limited overheads related to specific services. For these providers a long-term capability sustainment and capacity development comes from the MPDS. The initiative will ensure that the MPDS can support these providers especially smaller- and rural- and region-based providers to maintain and expand their capability and capacity to deliver care to their communities and ensure their meaningful participation in the new health system.Arena Williams: What reaction has he seen to the announcement of this new funding?Hon PEENI HENARE: When I announced this investment last month at Mahitahi Hauora in Te Tai Tokerau providers were ecstatic to hear the news. Te Puea Winiata chief executive of Turuki Healthcare in South Auckland said This funding will support us as providers to increase our capability capacity and service sustainability. This funding is especially needed right now as we continue to support whānau Māori through the long tail of COVID-19." Hingatu Thompson chief executive for Manaaki Ora Trust said "Māori provider development scheme has historically enabled Māori providers to be sustainable in the challenging environment. The increase ensures Māori providers are able to extend their capacity to support whānau and the wider health system to respond during extraordinary times." This announcement has been well received and I'm proud this Government is making the investment."