The Auckland District Health Board is considering scrapping a contract with the authorities in French Polynesia allowing its residents to have heart operations in Auckland.
The board says local demand has increased so much that the overseas contract is no longer sustainable.
Debbie Sorenson, the project officer for the Pasifika Medical Association says cutting the contract would be of concern to Tahitians.
"As with many of the Pacific countries being able to access services that are close to home, that have a good standard of care, for some of these complex tertiary procedures, like cardiac surgeries, is really important both for the Government and also for the community."
Debbie Sorenson says the French Polynesia ministry of Health has invested a lot to develop support services for patients having operations in New Zealand.
However, the Auckland District Health Board says local demand for children's cardiac services isn't increasing as much, and it wants to keep delivering that service to Tahiti.
