Results from repeated waves of the New Zealand Health Survey from 1996 to 2016 showed that the population accessing low-cost primary health care increased over the 20-year study period. Access to low-cost care was highest for Pacific people, but Māori and Asian people also accessed low-cost care more than people of European ethnicity. Access to low-cost care was strongly predicted by area-level deprivation in non-Māori, while Māori were more likely to access low-cost care at all levels of deprivation. The authors commented that ‘future policies to improve access should be fully aligned with the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and should focus on equity’.
