September 13, 2021
Liquor licence flood health issue for Māori
A Māori liquor control advocate has asked Health Minister Andrew Little to put Māori alcohol-related issues from prevention through to treatment under the leadership of the new Māori Health Authority.
Dave Ratu from Ōtara Māori Wardens and Kookiri ki Taamakimakaurau Trust says the reform of the health sector is a golden opportunity for Māori to exercise tino rangatiraanga over something that has harmed its communities for generations.
He says the explosion of bottle shops in low socioeonomic areas is a reflection of current structures that deny Māori a say in what goes on in their communities.
“The current system at local government level is stacked against Māori. You’ve got commissioners coming in from outside of South Auckland making decisions as to whether it’s appropriate to have another liquor licensed outlet in high Māori population areas. We say that’s wrong. That’s not showing equity. We need to have the bigger say in this,” Mr Ratu says.
He’d like to see a majority of Māori on any consenting authority in their communities, or a separate Māori rōpū given a veto.