The last few days of May marks the end of Smokefree May activities, culminating in a global day of recognition - World No Tobacco Day on May 31st.
On May 30, 2024, the Government will announce its first full budget. In anticipation each year, Hāpai Te Hauora, as the largest Māori Public Health organisation in Aotearoa, prepares a wish list to highlight to the government critical investment areas urgently needed across communities in Aotearoa.
Hāpai Te Hauora is kicking off Smokefree May with Auahitūroa, a Traveling Art Exhibition bidding farewell to the entrenched tobacco culture in Aotearoa with eulogies presented by current politicians in Wellington today.
For years, our largest Māori Public Health organisation has been advocating for a Smokefree Aotearoa and Hāpai Te Hauora Chief Executive, Jacqui Harema, remains committed to the cause despite current repeals.
Māori Public Health Organisation, Hāpai Te Hauora, released the Whakakotahitanga Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Guidelines, alongside the Government who announced its renewed priorities for FASD this morning at Papakura Marae.
Supported by a Steering Group and multiple advisory groups, the approach to developing the guidelines included co-design with lived experience whānau and health professionals. This process highlighted the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Māori understandings of health, and whānau voice.
As we enter 2024, many will take the opportunity to reflect on the achievements, the challenges & life lessons of 2023. It’s at this time we make New Year’s resolutions and goals like committing to reconnect with your culture, family or language, exercising more, eating better and perhaps giving up smoking tobacco.
National Māori Public Health organisation Hāpai Te Hauora welcomes a New Year’s solution from the government who have stated their commitment to improving Māori health outcomes - to get our Smokefree 2025 goal back on track.
National Māori Public Health Organisation, Hāpai Te Hauora, calls on the new government to reconsider repealing critical, world-leading ,smokefree legislation. The proposed repeal by National, New Zealand First (NZ First), and ACT Government is an unconscionable blow to the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders. The recent announcement has generated calls by public health experts, the communities most affected by tobacco harm and the tobacco control sector to ensure the commitment remains for Aotearoa to achieve Smokefree2025.
In response to the New Zealand Government's recent coalition announcement, Hāpai Te Hauora's CEO Jason Alexander, expresses profound concern regarding the potential detrimental effects on Māori communities. Hāpai as the leading Māori public health organisation in Aotearoa has long advocated for bridging health inequities for Māori communities by allowing them to determine their own health priorities, and providing access to basic, culturally grounded health solutions.
National Māori Public Health organisation, Hāpai Te Hauora welcomes the implementation of a Smokefree Generation policy. Interim CEO Jason Alexandar of Hāpai Te Hauora says, ‘The world is looking to Aotearoa as we implement world leading Smokefree legislation.
It has been just over a year since Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority, came into effect and yet as we lead into the election a running theme from some parts of the political sphere is to ask the question "Why hasn't the Māori Health Authority worked yet?" Declaring it a waste of money and that it must be abolished. It took at least 150 years of oppression to accrue the Māori health inequities we experience today. It is laughable to expect a single health entity with a pittance of the health budget to fix 150+ years of inequity in one single year, yet the calls persist.
Hapori will have a greater say about how alcohol is sold within their communities, as the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Bill passes its third reading. Māori Public Health experts at Hāpai Te Hauora acknowledge the passing of this legislation.
But, it falls short of the comprehensive, system-wide change needed to ensure whānau and hapori are protected from alcohol harm.