October 05, 2020
Health policy skirts tiriti challenge
The Nurses Organisation says neither Labour's health nor Māori policies point to any substantial, tiriti-based change for Māori health – despite stated commitments to equity and rangatiratanga.
Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the first steps towards equity would be a commitment to closing the 25 percent pay gap between Māori and iwi providers and DHBs, a clear plan to grow the Māori nursing workforce, and a vision that ensures Māori nurse leadership.
She says Māori health is a political issue that won't be fixed with vague commitments that do nothing to change the status quo.
"What we know works is by Māori, for Māori services. Māori and iwi services provide a lot of that care so how we are going to ensure we are training a workforce that isn't going to go into the most underpaid jobs because of funding issues? Where is our te tiriti commitment? Where is our shared power and governance?" Ms Nuku says.
It's also a gender issue, with wāhine making up most of the Māori nursing and iwi provider workforces.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com