# Healthcare gaps hit Māori voters

> Māori voters skip healthcare due to cost and system distrust.
- Title: Healthcare gaps hit Māori voters · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: Māori voters skip healthcare due to cost and system distrust. 67% of Māori voters delayed or skipped healthcare in past year due to cost and system distrust.
- Keywords: māori, healthcare, mata, poll, te pāti māori, te aka whai ora, whānau, taiao, climate change, rural health, politics, news
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/political/1966958/healthcare-out-of-reach-maori-seats-up-for-grabs
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-16T21:31:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: māori, healthcare, mata, poll, te pāti māori, te aka whai ora, whānau, taiao, climate change, rural health, politics, news
## Healthcare access gap
67 percent of Māori voters delayed or skipped healthcare in past year due to cost and unavailability.
## Trust in health system
32 percent of Māori voters do not trust the healthcare system to provide needed care.
## Rural healthcare challenges
Northland: 76 percent delayed healthcare due to appointment availability.
## Health system distrust
47 percent trust health system; 32 percent do not trust it.
## Racism in healthcare
Racism affects Māori women's healthcare access and outcomes.

> A lot of that is down to racism for our wāhine, how they're treated, particularly around their babies
## Te Aka Whai Ora scrapped
Te Aka Whai Ora, Māori health authority, was disestablished within months of election.
## Climate change concerns
75 percent think government isn't protecting natural resources for future generations.
## Māori seats race
Labour leads in four Māori seats; Te Pāti Māori in two seats.
## Te Tai Tokerau race
Willow-Jean Prime leads with 27 percent support.
## What happens next
Māori voters may demand healthcare reforms and environmental protections.
## Key takeaway

67% of Māori voters delayed or skipped healthcare in past year due to cost and system distrust.