Te Puna Ora o Mataatua is supporting the WAI 3307 claim calling for an urgent hearing with the Waitangi Tribunal over the Crown’s intention to disestablish Te Aka Whai Ora.
The move, which would see the Māori Health Authority abolished, was announced in the National Party’s 100-day plan released on November 29, 2023.
Following its release, Roimata Smail, on behalf of Lady Tureiti Moxon and Janice Kuka, filed WAI3307, a statement of claim and an application for an urgent hearing with the Waitangi Tribunal.
Chair Fiona Wiremu says Te Puna Ora o Mataatua supports the claim and is prepared to participate as an interested party in the inquiry if urgency is granted.
“Te Puna Ora supports the claim of Lady Tureiti Moxon and Janice Kuka and agrees that the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora requires urgent inquiry.
“Te Puna Ora has a claim in the Health Inquiry relating to the prejudice we and, by proxy, the whānau we serve, has suffered because of Crown policies, practices, acts, and omissions, particularly about the funding of services for Māori.
“The Wai 3307 statement of claim particularly considers funding of Māori Primary Health Organisations and Providers and the prejudice arising from underfunding.”
She says Te Puna Ora o Mataatua can usefully assist with the inquiry process.
“The Minister of Health, Hon Dr Shane Reti, has indicated to media that Health NZ (Te Whatu Ora) is working on a framework where devolution decision-making and funding to hapū can be adopted and rolled out nationally.
“Te Puna Ora can provide relevant and invaluable evidence about that notion and the urgent claim more generally.”
Te Puna Ora currently has an active WAI 2912 claim as part of the wider WAI 2575 Health Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry.
