National Hui on Māori Health Issues to be held in Te Arawa
4 April 2018

About 150 Māori medical practitioners, doctors, nurses, medical graduates and others will converge on Rotorua this weekend to attend a National Hui to discuss Māori Health issues as a part of the Health Services and Outcomes Inquiry currently before the Waitangi Tribunal.

The Waitangi Tribunal’s kaupapa inquiry programme seeks to identify and address nationally significant claims that affect all Maori, and redress systemic problems that have prevented or seek to prevent the active protection of the principles guaranteed in Te Tiriti o Waitangi to Māori across all sectors of Healthcare Industry.
In a recent memorandum of directions by Judge Stephen Clark on 29 March 2018, he observed that:
“... there are currently 181 claims before us, that number grows on a weekly basis. No decisions have been made yet as to eligibility because, as we have repeatedly stated, we first want to identify themes for investigation and inquiry which warrant priority.”

Judge Clark has called for this national hui to give consideration towards the identification of priorities moving forward. He maintained in these directions, however, that the first stage of the inquiry should be limited to the primary healthcare framework.

The national hui aims to bring together expert professional, policy advisory and academic voices on Maori health services and outcomes. It also aims to facilitate discussion, with a view to consolidating issues around the primary healthcare framework for Stage One, and identifying priorities moving forward. Ultimately, the ideal is Maori-designed, Maori-developed and Maori-implemented services and outcomes, and this hui is a step towards achieving that.

The hui has been supported by the New Zealand Maori Council, the National Hauora Coalition, Pukeroa Oruawhata Inc. and Lakes District Health Board. Hon Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Waiariki MP, Tamati Coffey have confirmed their attendance on Friday evening and Saturday morning.

The pōhiri starts at 6pm on Friday, 6 April at Tangatarua marae, Rotorua.

The National hui is free however you must register your interest for catering purposes at info@mokoia.co.nz or rebekah@annettesykes.com

ENDS

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