August 30, 2019
Māori health expertise needed for climate action plan
The select committee looking at the Zero Carbon Bill has been told a well-designed climate change policy could lead to substantial health gains.
The committee heard from health sector groups representing more than 55,000 health workers who called for health and fairness to be at the heart of the Bill.
Alexandra Macmillan, the co-convenor of OraTaiao: NZ Climate & Health Council, says in the past climate action has been framed as something that will cost people economically, but the reverse could be the case.
"Acting on climate change in a really well-designed way can save people money, can make people's health better and take a burden off the health system but we have ot design that right and that means having expertise in health, in Hauora Māori, in Te Ao Māori, at the heart of planning for climate action," she says.
Dr Macmillan says examples of action include the iwi-led research and planning for land use change in the Waiapu River catchment on the East coast which will lead to health and other benefits for Maori in the area.
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