It is very important that people – both health service providers and the general public – know about this strategy.

This document outlines the Government’s medium-term strategic direction for health. It informs the public, the health funding organisations and the health and disability support service providers – including charitable, voluntary and private organisations – of the broad policy settings within which the health sector will be working over the next three to five years.

The Government aims to ensure real gains in the health status of New Zealanders, so all enjoy the benefits of good health and maximise their potential to live a full life. All agencies in the publicly funded health sector need to focus on achieving these aims. This document sets out the Government’s twelve medium-term goals which aim to:

• build certainty and confidence in the security and stability of the New Zealand health and disability system

• give equity of health status to all New Zealanders

• maximise the benefits of early intervention, proper integration of services, health promotion, and involvement of communities in developing their own solutions to their health issues.