Māori Party proud of international recognition for founding co-leader

Founding Māori Party co-leader Hon Dame Tariana Turia will be presented with the Luther L. Terry Award for Exemplary Leadership in Tobacco Control at an international conference in Abu Dhabi this week.

The American Cancer Society has selected Mrs Turia for her enduring commitment to the health of all New Zealanders and tireless pursuit of a smoke-free Aotearoa by 2025.

“We are extremely proud that Tariana’s legacy and courageous work in reducing the deadly effects of cigarette smoking has been recognised internationally”, says Māori Party Co-leader Hon Te Ururoa Flavell.

During her time as the Associate Health Minister, Mrs Turia was instrumental in introducing a number of legislative changes which increased tobacco excise taxes, banned tobacco retail displays and lowered the duty free allowance for cigarettes. She also supported health campaigns, smoking cessation programmes and secured funding for an innovation fund to help reduce smoking in hard to reach communities.

Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox says the party is committed to continuing on the strong advocacy of Mrs Turia on tobacco control reforms.

“Too many New Zealanders and a disproportionate number of Māori are still dying of smoking-related illnesses. Our current battle is over passing the plain packaging legislation which Tariana introduced in to Parliament more than two years ago,” says Mrs Fox.

The Award will be presented to Mrs Turia at the 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health on Thursday in Abu Dhabi. The conference is the world’s largest gathering of tobacco control advocates, policy makers, researchers, public health and clinic experts.

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