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The system overhaul should mean more money for healthcare.
All 20 DHBs are set to become one Crown entity with four regional arms - to run hospitals and commission health services.
Health Minister Andrew Little told Heather du Plessis-Allan it's not about saving money.
"Whatever we don't spend on DHB administration and DHB boards will go back into healthcare."
The changes also mean the public will not be voting for DHB members at next year's local government elections.
Little says he wants permanent appointments made early next year, with overall reforms phased in over three years.
"The new structure will be in place by July 1st [2022] so there will be no need for elections next year."
A new Māori Health Authority will have the power to commission health services, monitor the state of Māori health and develop policy, and a new Public Health Agency will be created.
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