Clark DavidNEW ZEALAND PUBLIC HEALTH AND DISABILITY (WAIKATO DHB) ELECTIONS BILLSecond ReadingHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): I move That the New Zealand Public Health and Disability (Waikato DHB) Elections Bill be now read a second time. This bill will allow for the term of the Waikato District Health Board (DHB) commissioner to be extended from December 2019 until the triennial election scheduled for 2022. It provides the commissioner sufficient time to develop oversee and implement a financially sustainable plan for Waikato DHB and to improve clinical service performance. Without legislative change the commissioner would have less than seven months to improve the Waikato DHB's position. In May 2019 I dismissed the board of the Waikato DHB and appointed a commissioner for the DHB following my serious dissatisfaction with the performance of the board. In particular ongoing clinical service performance and poor financial performance had caused me to lose confidence in its ability to deliver on its strategy for the region. Financial deficits have been a feature of Waikato DHB's performance for some years. The DHB recorded a deficit of approximately $37.2 million for 2017/18 which was unfavourable to budget by $27.2 million. I've not approved the DHB's 2018/19 annual plan given the scale of the deficit and the clinical service issues. I thank the Health Committee for its consideration of the bill appreciating the short time available due to the upcoming local body elections later this year. The Health Committee examined the bill and recommended it be passed without amendment. Two issues which were considered by the committee were the impact of the bill on the democratic process in the Waikato and how Māori representation and participation could be provided for. The committee considered that the ability for the people of Waikato to vote for representation on their health board is fairly balanced against the need for a commissioner to address the serious financial service and governance issues that the DHB is facing. With regard to Māori representation and participation on the Waikato District Health Board I have emphasised the importance of achieving equity for Māori in the terms and conditions of the commissioner's appointment. The objective in the Act for the DHB to reduce health disparities by improving health outcomes for Māori and other population groups remains in place. To assist with this objective the commissioner has appointed a deputy commissioner with significant experience in Māori health and is engaging with the Waikato Iwi Māori Council and Waikato-Tainui. I do not propose the cancellation of a local DHB election lightly. The bill therefore impacts only one election at Waikato DHB and will help ensure that the next board to be appointed as part of the 2022 local body elections will begin its term on a more secure financial footing with more stable governance in place. I have appointed a commissioner in an attempt to resolve the DHB's financial service and governance challenges for the people of the Waikato district. It is important that the commissioner is given a sufficient period of time to achieve the significant changes. This Government is tackling the long-term problems facing our country. We're tackling the challenges created by years of under-funding in our health system. We're fixing problems that have accumulated over many years and were ignored by the last Government down to kids growing up in cars down to rundown schools and hospitals down to stretched workforces and dirty rivers. We know that everything cannot be fixed overnight but we are getting started. In respect of this particular bill I do however want to acknowledge that the Opposition have also supported it through its progress. That I think is due recognition that there are significant issues to be addressed in the Waikato that have taken some time to build and that will indeed take some time to fix. I do thank the members opposite for the mature and supportive way in which they have approached this process recognising the need to put the local population's interests first. So it is that I commend this bill to the House. I look forward to hearing from the Opposition in support of this bill.