An internal memo provided to 1News has confirmed Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand will be changing its name to "align with the expectation for agencies to have their primary name in English".
The public health agency would now be formally known as Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, the memo read.
The coalition agreement between National and NZ First included requiring public service departments to "have their primary name in English, except those specifically related to Māori".
The memo shown to 1News outlined the significance of the Māori portion of the department's name. “The formal name honours our gifted Māori name, and its important mauri and symbolism of weaving people, knowledge and organisations together to deliver better health outcomes for New Zealanders."
The memo noted electronic templates were being updated, with websites and social media channels to follow.
Most other parts of the organisation's visual identity would be considered as they naturally came up for replacement or renewal to "save costs".
In accordance with the coalition Government agreement, Transport Minister Simeon Brown instructed Waka Kotahi staff in early December last year to begin using their agency's English name first in communications.
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