A Health System Designed For Pakeha

A Health System Designed For Pakeha

Media release

New Zealand's health system is designed to support the privilege of Pakeha New Zealanders Dr Papaarangi Reid said today.

Dr Reid is a public health Physician and Director of the Eru Pomare Research Centre at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She gave the keynote address at the PHA Coonference in Wellington today.

"There is tons of evidence that tells that white New Zealanders benefit disproportinately from mainstream health services," Dr Reid said.

Dr Reid said that the New Zealand experience mirrors that of peoples of colour in other parts of the world.

"Maori health services are constantly criticised, when mainstream public policy and institutions systematically create and maintain pakeha privelege."

The health of mature and civilised nations is masured by the health status of its most vulnerable groups: idigenous people, children, people living with disabilities, and other marginalised groups.

"As long as we fail to adrress the needs of Maori our overall health track record will be poor." Dr Reid said.

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