Urgent action needed to protect Maori women

The Maori Party is calling on the Government to take urgent action to keep Maori women safe because they are more likely than any other group in Aotearoa to suffer from other people’s drinking.

"Our mothers, sisters, aunties and daughters are suffering and it is time the powers that be did something about it,” Maori Party alcohol spokesperson Rahui Katene said.

The Law Commission’s Alcohol in Our Lives – Curbing the Harm report released today revealed that ‘Maori women suffer significantly more in terms of effects on their friendships or social lives, home lives, financial problems, becoming victims of physical or sexual assault and being involved in car accidents.’

“As a Maori woman, mother and grandmother I have grave concerns about this,” Mrs Katene said.

"Article three of the Treaty of Waitangi obliges the Government to ensure Maori women and their children are protected and we in the Maori Party are willing to work with any group, including the Government, to develop laws and strategies that achieve that.”

The commission's call that there should be a new act to reduce alcohol harm, which includes tougher penalties on alcohol profiteers, should be taken seriously by the Government, Mrs Katene said.

Maori Party policy places priority on whanau focused alcohol and drug addiction, recovery and restoration services.

ENDS

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