ADVOCACY
Reports and submissions
List of Services
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AHANZ Members' Advocacy Kit
Election 2026: Allied Health at the heart of a thriving health system.
Introduction: AHANZ’s Advocacy Strategy for 2026
New Zealand’s health system is under increasing strain. Waiting times are growing, workforce shortages are worsening, and too many people struggle to access the care and support they need. Much of this pressure is preventable.
Allied health professionals play a critical role in keeping people well, supporting recovery, and enabling people to live healthy, independent lives in their communities. Despite this impact, allied health remains under-recognised in health policy, planning and funding.
AHANZ believes New Zealand needs a health system that not only responds to illness, but actively supports wellbeing and enables people to live their healthiest lives. Allied health is central to that future.
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AHANZ Policy Manifesto 2026
Allied Health: The Heart of a Thriving Health System
New Zealanders deserve a health system that does not just respond to illness, but actively supports wellness. Currently, our system is under pressure, and many people are waiting too long for the care and support they need. We believe much of this pressure is preventable.
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AHANZ Strategic Plan Summary
2026 - 2028
Vision
Optimum health and wellbeing for all New Zealanders.
Mission
Ensuring allied health professions are recognised and contribute to their full potential to enable New Zealanders to enjoy health and wellbeing
Context
The Executive Committee have reviewed the existing Strategic Plan and agree that there is still much work to be done to complete it. Accordingly, this new plan takes account of relevant outstanding commitments and proposes revised priorities for the forthcoming three years.
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GENERAL ELECTION 2026 AHANZ ADVOCACY POSITIONS
Every New Zealander deserves timely access to the right health care in their own community.
To achieve this, allied health must be recognised and embedded as an essential part of tier 1 community and primary services—not an optional add-on.
Allied health professionals are trained and ready to ease pressure on the GP workforce while improving outcomes and patient experience. As our population grows and ages, the health system must shift from treating illness to actively keeping people well, with allied health funded as a frontline prevention workforce delivering health promotion, early intervention, and rehabilitation.
To plan effectively, allied health must also be visible in national health data and workforce planning. And above all, access to care must not be a postcode lottery—New Zealand’s 30,000-strong allied health workforce can help deliver equitable, locally grounded services, but only if resourced to reach those currently missing out.
To read the four priorities AHANZ proposes to achieve this click below to download the documents.
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Submission on Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill
December 2021
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Hidden in Plain Sight: Optimising the allied health professions for better, more sustainable integrated care
June 2021
Registration authorities
Allied health professions regulated under the HPCA Act are:
Public Departments:
- ACC acc.co.nz
- Health and Disability Commissioner hdc.org.nz/
- Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2003/0048/latest/DLM203312.html
- Manatū Hauora / Ministry of Health moh.govt.nz
- Minister of Health beehive.govt.nz/portfolio/labour-2020-2023/health
- Te Aka Whai Ora / Māori Health Authority teakawhaiora.nz/
- Te Whatu Ora / Health New Zealand tewhatuora.govt.nz/
Te Tiriti o Waitangi:
- Ao Mai te Rā / The Anti-Racism Kaupapa at the Ministry of Health
- Treaty Resource Centre