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What it is

Palliative and end-of-life care provides people facing life-limiting conditions with holistic support and services based on the needs of the person and their family. This care is essential. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and it can be provided alongside curative treatment.

Palliative care in Aotearoa New Zealand aims to:

  • optimise peoples’ quality of life until death by addressing their physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural needs
  • support the individual’s family, whānau and other caregivers where needed into bereavement.

National Palliative Care Work Programme

From July 2023 Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora are developing a work programme, co-sponsored by Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority, that will support a nationally consistent approach to palliative care across Aotearoa New Zealand.  

The first step in establishing this programme is commissioning a steering group of health service, consumer and community leaders to provide oversight and guidance for this national work programme over the coming 2 years.  

Find out more about the National Palliative Care Work Programme.

Contact

If you would like to contact the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora palliative care team or join our stakeholder list to receive email updates on our national palliative care work programme, email us.