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Te Pou

Ministry of Health

District health boards

District health boards (DHBs) are crown entities established in 2001 under the Public Health and Disability Act, 2000 to provide health and disability services to the population within their geographical region. There are currently 21 DHBs in New Zealand. The smallest serves a population of around 31,000, while the largest has a population of around 505,000 people.

District health boards are governed by boards which are responsible to the Minister of Health (administration is through the Ministry of Health). The majority of board members - seven members - are elected by the community. A minority of members - up to four - are appointed by the Minister of Health. In recognition of the Crown's partnership with Maori, each board must have at least two Maori members or a greater number if Maori make up a higher proportion of the DHB's population.

Objectives

The statutory objectives of DHBs are:

  • improving, promoting and protecting the health of their communities
  • promoting the integration of health services, especially primary and secondary care services
  • promoting effective care or support of those in need of personal health services or disability support.

Other DHB objectives include:

  • promoting the inclusion and participation in society and independence of people with disabilities
  • reducing health disparities by improving health outcomes for Maori and other population groups
  • reduce toward elimination, health outcome disparities between various population groups.

DHBs are expected to show a sense of social responsibility, to foster community participation in health improvement, and to uphold the ethical and quality standards commonly expected of providers of services and public sector organisations.

Provision and funding of services

Each DHB is allocated government funding, along with broad guidelines about what services are to be provided. These guidelines reflect national priorities that have been identified in the New Zealand Health Strategy. Funding is allocated to DHBs using a weighted population-based funding formula based on the demographic make-up of each district, the level of unmet need, numbers of overseas visitors and the urban/rural split.

DHBs provide health services to their populations directly through public hospitals and public community facilities. DHBs also fund primary health organisations (PHOs) and non-government organisations (NGOs) to provide services for their populations. This means DHBs have a dual role as a provider and funder of services.

Information about each of the DHBs can be found on their websites, use our map to find contact details.

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