Govt targets without transformation: Why allied health must be part of the health policy conversation

Upcoming events of interest

The Cancer Control Agency has just released two significant reports highlighting the experiences of disabled people with cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand: Disabled People and Cancer: Literature Review Ngā Tāngata Whaikaha me te mate pukupuku: he arotakenga mātātuhi The Burden of Cancer Among Disabled People: Diagnosis Insights He taumaha te mate pukupuku ki ngā tāngata whaikaha: Ngā Kitenga. Both reports are now available in a range of formats on the Agency’s website . Together these reports provide important new evidence to inform and improve cancer care for disabled people and their whānau. The literature review summarises international and local research, highlighting barriers disabled people face in accessing cancer care and pinpointing areas where more research is needed. The diagnosis insights report analyses cancer rates among disabled adults in New Zealand (2018–2022). It shows higher diagnosis rates for disabled people across all demographics analysed when compared to the total population. Diagnosis rates were also analysed for four specific cancers (breast, bowel, lung and prostate cancer). There are significantly higher rates for lung cancer among disabled people, and higher rates for breast and bowel cancer as well. With 17 per cent of people in New Zealand identified as disabled, these reports are another key tool in addressing inequities and informing better cancer care for all.

As some members will know, we have farewelled our previous Executive Administrator, Nikky Winchester, and welcome as her successor, Pauline Downie. On behalf of all our members, we want to thank Nikky for her long-serving contribution to AHANZ and wish her well for the future. Pauline is contactable at admin@alliedhealth.org.nz .

A huge thank you to everyone who jumped into the 2025 AHANZ Member Survey. We know you’re busy humans, so the time you gave us has been incredibly valuable. Your responses have given the Executive a really clear, grounded picture of what you want AHANZ to keep doing, and where you’d like us to lift our game as we shape our 2026–2028 Strategic Plan and step up advocacy ahead of the 2026 General Election. Many of you will have already seen or heard snippets of this feedback through conversations and recent meetings. What matters now is that we’re using it to guide the next phase of our work, so your voices are right at the centre of our planning. As co-Chair Alison Molloy puts it: “This survey has confirmed what we’ve been sensing across the sector; allied health is ready for a stronger, clearer national voice, and AHANZ is here to help make that happen.” She added: “We’re genuinely grateful for the honesty in the feedback. It’s given us practical direction, not just high-level wishes.” Here are the key recommendations you told us to prioritise: Short-term (next 0–3 months) Make member meetings shorter (no more than two hours) and schedule them at more workable times. Create a simple orientation pack for new reps. Set up easy ways to contribute between meetings (e.g., quick online surveys or a monthly virtual policy clinic). Prepare an initial ministerial briefing pack setting out our four strategic priorities. Medium-term (6–12 months) Develop a strong position paper on HPCA Act regulation, protection of professional titles, and fair recognition of smaller professions. Build an explicit Māori equity plan that embeds Te Tiriti commitments throughout our strategy. Lift AHANZ’s public profile with regular updates, media engagement, and proactive ministerial briefings. Longer-term (12–24 months) Support digital health/data pilot projects that show allied health impact. Grow the economic and prevention evidence base to strengthen our case with government. Thanks again for backing AHANZ with your insight and your time. We’ll keep sharing progress as we turn these recommendations into real-world action.

As the election clock ticks down, Allied Health Aotearoa New Zealand is putting the needs, expertise, and potential of the allied health workforce squarely in front of our political decision-makers. AHANZ has developed a suite of four focused policy papers that together set out a simple message: allied health is essential to delivering a strong, equitable, community-based health system — and the next Government must enable that. Those policy papers - on joined-up community care, prevention, visibility, and reaching everyone, everywhere – are the backbone of AHANZ’s election advocacy. They now form the basis of a manifesto document that AHANZ will send to all the Parties, urging them to include our recommendations into their own health policies. AHANZ Executive Committee member, Alison Molloy, says the papers and the manifesto reflect what members have been telling AHANZ. “We have the workforce, the capability, and the evidence. What we’ve lacked is appropriate system design. These papers make that case clearly and powerfully.” 1. Joined-up, community-based care spells out how the allied health workforce can relieve pressure on GPs and hospitals, and why Tier 1 care must be team-based and locally delivered. 2. Prevention first highlights that preventable conditions are driving unsustainable demand. Allied health can address that, but people can’t access services that are unfunded and unaffordable. 3. Better information and visibility is AHANZ calling for proper reporting, shared digital systems, and visibility in workforce planning. 4. Reaching everyone, everywhere reinforces equity as the defining challenge. Alison puts it simply: “We understand this Government is mostly focused on health targets as they relate to hospitals and EDs. But we still need to advocate strongly for allied health and the role we can play, and the value we bring." We want to use every possible opportunity to push for a future where allied health is finally recognised as the engine room of a modern, accessible, prevention-centred health system.