Concerns over inequity between Maori and non-Maori cancer survival rates

An Otago University researcher says New Zealand's healthcare system is failing Maori cancer patients - because it was designed for the European population.

Dr Jason Gurney claims he has disproved previous theories that Maori patients have a higher mortality rate because they are diagnosed too late.

Gurney says the Cancer Control Agency's new Action plan must seek to support Maori.

He says as a society we need to make a choice not to accept these inequities, particularly for our indigenous population.