Fact box: Impact of government health policy changes on Māori

Date of Announcement:Key Changes:
February 28, 2024- Abolishment of the Māori Health Authority
- Repeal of smokefree laws
Date of Announcement:Statement Released By:
February 28, 2024Maori Party
Date of Announcement:Spokesperson:
February 28, 2024Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Co-leader and Health Spokesperson
Date of Announcement:Health Disparities Highlighted:
February 28, 2024- Māori live, on average, seven years less than non-Māori.
- Māori are two-to-three times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer.
- Māori have a 60% higher mortality rate after a cancer diagnosis.
Date of Announcement:Smoking Rates Among Māori:
February 28, 2024- Current Māori smoking rate: 17.1%
- Compared to European and Other groups: 6.1%
- Smokefree 2025 target for Māori now projected to be unattainable until 2040.
Date of Announcement:Historical Context:
February 28, 2024- Aotearoa was colonized with tobacco and disease.
- Māori communities have four times more tobacco retailers than other communities.
Date of Announcement:Government Accountability:
February 28, 2024- Debbie Ngarewa-Packer intends to hold the government accountable for ensuring better health outcomes for Māori.
Date of Announcement:Policy Critique:
February 28, 2024- The policy changes are seen as a step back in health equity efforts and a violation of tino rangatiratanga rights as asserted in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
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Key Changes:- Abolishment of the Māori Health Authority
- Repeal of smokefree laws
Statement Released By:Maori Party
Spokesperson:Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Co-leader and Health Spokesperson
Health Disparities Highlighted:- Māori live, on average, seven years less than non-Māori.
- Māori are two-to-three times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer.
- Māori have a 60% higher mortality rate after a cancer diagnosis.
Smoking Rates Among Māori:- Current Māori smoking rate: 17.1%
- Compared to European and Other groups: 6.1%
- Smokefree 2025 target for Māori now projected to be unattainable until 2040.
Historical Context:- Aotearoa was colonized with tobacco and disease.
- Māori communities have four times more tobacco retailers than other communities.
Government Accountability:- Debbie Ngarewa-Packer intends to hold the government accountable for ensuring better health outcomes for Māori.
Policy Critique:- The policy changes are seen as a step back in health equity efforts and a violation of tino rangatiratanga rights as asserted in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.