The Health Navigator NZ website is a collaborative project developed by a range of non-profit health organisations getting together and identifying the best health information and self-help resources we can. Instead of having to remember multiple websites or rely on search engines, you can remember one and be linked through to the rest.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to improve the health of New Zealanders by developing a centralized database and website gateway leading to accurate and reliable health information, tools and resources that support, equip and enable individuals and their families to manage their health and any long-term health conditions more effectively in partnership with their healthcare providers.

Underlying principles

• Health information should be equally available to consumers and health professionals
• Patients/consumers are experts about themselves and the key manager of their day to day health
• We need to continually keep improving the quality of care provided and reducing the gap between best care and usual care
• Care should be patient/whanau-centred and holistic recognising the importance of the physical, psychological, emotional, cultural and spiritual dimensions for hauora (health).

Purpose

The key objectives of the Health Navigator NZ website are to help you navigate the health information maze and:

• Simplify the process of finding trusted and reliable health information
• Equip you and your family with information, tools and resources that help you make better decisions and choices to maximise your health and quality of life
• Improve the quality of health information used by New Zealanders by developing a quality framework and minimum standards for all linked resources
• Improve accessibility of reliable self-care/self help information to support shared decision making, patient autonomy, self-determination and encourage patient activation and sharing of responsibility in ongoing health care
• Improve patient safety by promoting clinical excellence and upskilling consumers such as staying alert to anything that doesn’t seem right
• Encourage and facilitate increased understanding and use of self management tools, resources and principles within both primary and secondary care
• Support the practical implementation of evidence based clinical guidelines by making them more available at the point of care
• Support individuals and families with positive behaviour change through access to evidence based online tools, resources, self-help programmes and support groups
• Improve accessibility and availability of health information for specific groups such as Maori & Pacific people and resources in different languages
• Become a trusted source of health information and practical tools for health professionals and consumers within New Zealand (independent of any drug company sponsorship, involvement, or resources)