Iwi Leads Fight Against Decision To Close Tauranga’s Mortuary

Ngai Te Rangi iwi is determined to fight the cynical manipulation of the public by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board where it announced the closure of Tauranga’s mortuary on the weekend when the public and media was focused on election results.

Iwi spokesperson Paora Stanley says the DHB first announced the mortuary closure, due to cost cutting, in early January when they knew the people in their community were likely to be on holiday. The second announcement comes on a weekend over the elections.

“Tauranga is New Zealand’s fifth largest city and the fastest growing and we will be without something as basic as a mortuary. Family members will have to travel to Rotorua or Hamilton to see their loved ones at a time when they are already stressed and grieving. There is no dignity in it and there is definitely no sensitivity in it.

“Our leaders in health and local government have shown no vision for our city and no sensitivity to their own people.” Stanley says the iwi will begin a concerted set of actions by getting in touch with groups this week with the intent of forming an action collective.

“Maori take the treatment of their deceased loved ones very seriously but we are not alone in that. We have an aging population who will have tremendous hardship added to their lives at the very moment when they and their families are most stressed.

“We are joining with Ngati Ranginui iwi in calling upon MPs, mayors and other civic leaders to show support for the people who voted for them. Where are our mayors and city and district councillors fighting for our community?” Stanley says clearly the DHB tried to protect its sitting members by holding off on the public announcement of this decision until the DHB elections were over.

He says a cheap game is going on where the District Health Board is blaming the Ministry of Justice and while the Ministry of Justice is blaming the District Health board for the loss of mortuary services.

“But we are very clear where the blame lies. The District Health Board, its board and management, is cheating the people it is supposed to be serving in a very underhand way.

“It is an arrogant health authority that attempts to hoodwink the people it is there to serve.”

He says the iwi is determined to vigorously pursue this issue until the District Health Board fulfils its responsibility to its population by providing vital services.

“There are still a number of DHB board members that were part of this decision who need to be brought to account. And we have a local MP who is the Minister of Health who is being very silent.”

ENDS

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