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A national mortality review committee will be established next year, following an independent review.
The group will analyse deaths of people aged up to 24, mothers and babies (perinatal and maternal) - and deaths related to surgery, family violence and suicide.
Currently there are five committees reporting to the Health Quality and Safety Commission.
The commission's chair Dr Dale Bramley said the review by Francis Health showed the current system had "limitations".
"We acknowledge this is a significant change to the current national mortality review process and may cause concern for some, however, the board has thoroughly considered several options and we are confident this approach will better address equity issues and help to reduce mortality."
He said the current system "prevents the flexibility to investigate new priorities and emerging issues and "the embedding of existing Te Tiriti o Waitangi and pro-equity guidelines also varies across committees".
He said inequities in Māori mortality rates in particular, were "unacceptable and cannot be ignored".
"We need to include a strong and unfettered Māori voice in this transformation."
The current five national committees will continue until June 2023.