Treaty of Waitangi settlements help iwi address health issue

Treaty of Waitangi settlements help iwi address health issues

NZ Population Health Congress media release, 6 October 2014

Treaty of Waitangi settlements have benefited Maori when it comes to income, housing, employment and education, the NZ Population Health Congress was told today in Auckland.

“Managing these funds has increased iwi leader capabilities to address the health and wellbeing of iwi members,” Papatuanuku Nahi said.

Papatuanuku Nahi’s research, which explored existing literature on the subject, and complemented this with interviews with iwi leaders, revealed a plethora of iwi development post-settlement.

“Iwi are also involved in collaborations and partnerships for health including integrated service provision, region-wide health planning, iwi and Crown treaty partnerships and iwi collectives to advance iwi health. Iwi are also increasingly involved in monitoring and analysis, research and in strengthening identity.

“Hapu and iwi knowledge systems, the notion of mana motuhake and self-determination and certainly tupuna legacy provide iwi with an enduring conviction to provide for the wellbeing of the people they represent and to do so in strengths-based ways.

“Notwithstanding, iwi involvement is only one mechanism for Maori health development. National and international indigenous rights and breaches of these rights validate a continuing and significant obligation for the Crown to protect Maori health, address the determinants of health and to restore health equity.

“In a post-settlement environment, iwi self-determination and leadership have an increasingly important role to play in the advancement of Maori health. It is important for public health to take into account the role of hapu and iwi self-determination in Maori health development alongside the Crown’s responsibilities to address health inequities.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media