Kaumatua Forging Pathway For Public Health

Kaumatua Forging Pathway For Public Health

Orakei based Kaumatua group Tangata  Manaaki Tangata was acknowledged at the Public Health Conference tonight in Taranaki for its outstanding work shaping gambling policy in Auckland. The group, which has been running for five years, was instrumental in achieving a regional sinking lid policy for gambling venues for the whole of Auckland.

Before the super-sizing of the Auckland Council, gambling policies varied across the seven councils that administered Auckland’s infrastructure. The councils favoured putting a cap on pokie machines rather than adopting a sinking lid policy.

Tangata Manaaki Tangata was convened by Auckland-based Maori public health trust Hapai Te Hauora Tapui, and has been been an important influence on Auckland Council’s TAB and gaming venue policy.

“The kaumatua have been instrumental in the development of Auckland Council’s new gambling policy,” Anthony Hawke of Hapai Te Hauora said today.

“From establishment they have been clear that they want to do more than sing waiata and assist with protocols. They have been involved in reviewing the Council’s strategies and linking the Council with Maori communities.

“Gambling is a huge issue for Maori whanau. $14million every year is generated by pokie machines in Manurewa, which has the highest Maori population of any area in Auckland.

“After three years of working with the kaumatua and Hapai Te Hauora Tapui the Auckland Council has adopted the strongest form of sinking lid policy, and introduced other measures to address problem gambling. As a result of this work Tangata Manaaki Tangata is proposing the establishment of a national kaumatua group to address gambling harm.”

The group received the Tu Rangatira award on Wednesday night 18 September at the Public Health Association’s annual conference dinner. The Tu Rangatira Award is awarded by the Public Health Association every year to a group or individual for outstanding contribution to Maori public health.

ENDS

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