‘Twenty Days to Cope with Forty Five Years of Trauma’

Tariana Turia, Health Spokesperson for the Maori Party

Friday 20 July 2007

Tariana Turia has today referred to the tight consultation timeframe on health support services for Dioxin victims as “a gross insult to the physical and emotional suffering they have endured for up to forty five years, because of their exposure to dioxins”.

The discussion document focuses on people who lived in Paritutu, New Plymouth, between 1962 and 1987 who may have been exposed to dioxin from the Ivon Watkins-Dow (IWD) plant.

“It is staggering to think that the Ministry and Minister honestly believe that the residents who lived in Paritutu up to forty-five years ago will be conveniently located in areas where groups can be brought together ‘to discuss the options and seek feedback’ – and that this can all be achieved in a mere twenty days (19 now!)” said Mrs Turia.

“Whilst it is admirable that the views of other groups who may have been exposed to higher levels of dioxin than other New Zealanders are being sought, the central issue remains – how are these people meant to know about this consultation process?” asked Mrs Turia.

“I am delighted that the Ministry is actually doing something, but my fear is that with such a ridiculously restricted timeframe, the results will be inevitably skewed” said Mrs Turia.

“This is an excellent opportunity to bring together all people who have worked with PCP, 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D - people such as former workers in county councils, forestry, lands and surveys, railways, timber treatment workers and Vietnam veterans” said Mrs Turia.

“The problem is – twenty days is absolutely way too short to do the issue justice” said Mrs Turia.

“All through the long history of Paritutu residents trying to get the Government to properly test for and acknowledge the existence of elevated dioxin levels, there have been serious testing errors” said Mrs Turia. “There has been an unacceptable level of risk, with the impact of dioxin exposure seriously under-stated”.

“The urgency and significance of the need for health support options must be treated seriously by the Minister” said Mrs Turia. “The Maori Party will be contacting the Minister of Health, urging him to give due consideration to a robust consultation process, including a thorough and widespread publicity campaign to ensure the process is well publicised”.

BACKGROUND

Consultation on health support service for people exposed to dioxin

A range of options for additional health support services for individuals exposed to dioxins because of where they live or the work they have done has been released for public consultation.

Submissions must be received by 8 August.

Any residents or former residents of Paritutu who have not been contacted and who wish to attend a meeting planned in New Plymouth on 25 July should contact Allen and Clarke as soon as possible.

For the discussion document and a submission form see www.moh.govt.nz/dioxins/ healthprogramme

ENDS

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