February 07, 2022
Māori have little to celebrate over Waitangi weekend
Press Release
Māori have little to celebrate over Waitangi weekend
While most Kiwis will be enjoying the Waitangi Day long weekend, Whānau Ora CEO John Tamihere says Māori have little to celebrate, thanks to Ashley Bloomfield.
Tamihere said Bloomfield has again blocked the release of data, this time for Māori Tamariki aged 5-11, sabotaging Māori efforts.
With Māori Tamariki already lagging almost 20% behind in vaccination statistics, Tamihere was confident the data requested would provide details for a proactive targeted approach to reach whānau.
Despite the two court rulings – both won by Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency forcing the Ministry of Health to hand over data, Bloomfield said Tamariki under 12 were in a completely different category and refused.
“There are some specific challenges when sharing information about children,” he said.
In an email responding to Bloomfield, Tamihere stated: “You knew our Tamariki are as important as their parents.
“You knew that you were directed by two High Court judgements to release data on Māori from 12 years of age upward.”
“You knew that we have the capacity and capability to reach our Tamariki, the children of adults we have already vaccinated, and you now sabotage that as well.”
“You play games around ‘’I understand‘’. You knew we were, and are committed to the vaccination of all communities, but have a specific expertise that you lack in regard to Māori Communities.”
Tamihere added: “You released data by Court direction on 12 year olds. Tell me, what is the difference between a 15 year old, a 10 year old and a 5 year old in Data terms?”
“The Vaccination Program to Māori Tamariki will be made knowingly arduous.
“We are so pleased you will be out of our world and the negative impacts you bring with the establishment of our own Māori Health Authority.
“Your actions alone confirm the requirement for a Māori Health Authority.”