An initiative to tackle racism in the health system has received more than $130,000 in funding.

The money was awarded by the Health Research Council, and will be used to develop an anti-racism framework to guide policy advisers and decision-makers.

Maori health committee chair Suzanne Pitama told Kate Hawkesby it's a groundbreaking initiative.

"The deterrents of health in New Zealand are things like poverty, access to quality care and one of the other deterrent to health is racism."

LISTEN ABOVE AS SUZANNE PITAMA SPEAKS WITH KATE HAWKESBY