February 26, 2024
Reti rush disrespects claimants
Former associate health minister Peeni Henare is questioning the integrity Health Minister Shane Reti over the rush to ax the Māori Health Authority.
The Government intends to introduce repeal legislation tomorrow, jumping ahead of the Waitangi Tribunal’s planned hearing later in the week.
Mr Henare says Te Aka Whai Ora was a community-driven initiative to address poor Māori health statistics.
The Government is putting politicking over Māori health.
“Not only is it on the chopping block, which to be fair they campaigned on it, but when an urgent inquiry is taken at the Waitangi Tribunal, and I asked Dr Reti himself in the House last week, whether or not he will meet with the claimants, and he said he was happy to meet with all stakeholders with respect to health,” he says.
Mr Henare says by not meeting with the claimants, Dr Reti shows the Government does not care for the Waitangi Tribunal or for Māori health experts.