He karere tā Te Puna Ora o Mataatua:
Te Puna Ora o Mataatua is announcing its formal opposition to the proposed Treaty Principles Bill today, stating that the legislation threatens the fundamental relationship between Māori and the Crown established under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“This Bill represents a direct challenge to the mana and rangatiratanga guaranteed to tangata whenua through Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” says Pou Kaitiaki o Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, Fiona Wiremu.
“As kaitiaki of Māori health and wellbeing, we cannot stand silent while the foundations of our partnership with the Crown are undermined.”
Te Puna Ora o Mataatua emphasises that ngā mātāpono o Te Tiriti have been crucial in addressing health inequities and developing culturally responsive healthcare services mai i ngā kuri a whārei tae noa atu ki Tihirau, arā ko Mataatua whānui.
“The principles of partnership, protection, and participation have been essential in developing healthcare initiatives that work for tātou katoa,” explains Fiona. “Dismantling these principles would reverse decades of progress in reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for whānau Māori.”
Te Puna Ora o Mataatua calls on the government / Kawanatanga to:
- Immediately withdraw the Treaty Principles Bill
- Engage in meaningful consultation with whānau Māori and hauora providers
- Whakamana existing Treaty obligations in healthcare delivery
- Manaaki the progress made in addressing health inequities
Te Puna Ora o Mataatua will continue to advocate for the retention of Treaty principles and their mahi whakahirahira in healthcare delivery while working alongside other hauora Māori providers and advocacy rōpū to oppose the legislation.
In May, Te Puna Ora o Mataatua jointly filed for High Court action against the Crown, challenging how Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority) was disestablished.
The claim sought a judicial review over breaches of the Bill of Rights and a declaration of inconsistency against Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The action was supported by Te Kōhao Health, Ngāti Hine Health Trust, and Papakura Marae, with support from Pou Tangata, National Iwi Chairs Forum.
