Abstract
High quality ethnicity data are critical for Māori health improvement, and it is the responsibility of the entire health system to collect, record and report ethnicity data in the ways set out in the HISO 10001:2017 Ethnicity Data Protocols (the protocols). Despite the protocols being in existence for nearly 20 years, there is evidence that they are not being adhered to and Māori have continued to be systematically undercounted over this time period (Harris et al. 2022, Cleary 2021, Reid et al. 2016, Cormack and McLeod 2010).
There is an urgent need for leadership and a coordinated and ongoing response across the health sector to achieve high quality ethnicity data. The recent health system reforms and establishment of Te Aka Whai Ora and Te Whatu Ora offer an important opportunity to enable national consistency in ethnicity data protocol compliance and accountability, and to provide leadership for the whole health sector.