28 Nov 2013

Treaty money should not fund health - community

7:19 am on 28 November 2013

A review of health services on the East Coast has heard Treaty settlement money should not be used to fund hospitals and clinics.

Te Runanganui of Ngati Porou, Ngati Porou Hauora, and Tairawhiti District Health Board are assessing services in the region including for clinical performance and value for money.

Ngati Porou Hauora head Rose Kahaki says some locals have made it clear the tribe's package from the Crown should not replace or boost any part of the state's health budget.

She says there have been several comments and calls from the community concerned that money returned to Ngati Porou would be used on services supported by government funding.

Ms Kahaki says the feedback was not to use settlement cash to fund hospitals and clinics.

She says the general call of the people during consultation hui has been that there should be no loss of health service.