New Zealand has become a very divided country. Since Jacinda Ardern and her unfettered Labour Government came into power in 2020, scrapping between people has intensified. Never in the history of this nation has a Prime Minister been both so loved and so hated. Her socialist policies, leadership style and lack of transparency have alienated many people, causing anger and frustration.
This Labour Government is secretive and underhanded. The level of friction generated between the elite Maori and non-Maori is at an all-time high and Ardern is fuelling this by abetting her Maori caucus’s demands.
Grant Robertson is due to deliver the 2022/23 budget on the 19th of May, and a crucial question that must be asked is, who will have the $21+ billion Health Budget to spend?
Watch from 2.40 – 3.13 below.
It is absolutely staggering to hear Sharon Shea on 23 September 2021 gleefully telling a New Zealand TV audience that the new Maori Health Authority, with her as co-chair, will have control of the total of New Zealand’s Health budget.
Our budget is Health New Zealand’s, ha ha
Sharon Shea 2021.
This group of unelected people will have a workforce of 80,000, an annual budget of $20 billion and an asset base of $24 billion, incredibly with no voting, no dialogue, no checks or balances. They may be excellent people, but they are a group of people appointed in house by this Labour Government and were not elected democratically.
The shocking realisation is the Labour Government took no notice of Heather Simpson’s recommendations (2020) to halve the number of District Health Boards and establish an advisory Maori Health Authority. The Maori caucus rejected her review and ‘fought’ to have full control and separation of Maori from non-Maori. They did not want to be advisors.
Health apartheid was not an election topic. Out of the public’s view and without a mandate, the current DHBs were abolished. It is even more appalling that a minister’s close relative was given board status.
Co-chair Tipa Mahuta says, “The war has been worth it. We have fought the battle,” echoing Shea’s words.
Mahuta said, in terms of health outcomes, when Maori treat Maori, it’s successful, when it’s not Maori, it is not. In other words, it must be independent to improve Maori health. Sharon Shea was appointed to both boards.
Here are the appointed Board members:
Health New Zealand
- Rob Campbell (chair)
- Sharon Shea (co-chair of the interim Maori Health Authority)
- Amy Adams
- Cassandra Crowley
- Vui Mark Gosche
- Dame Karen Poutasi
- Vanessa Stoddart
- Dr Curtis Walker
Maori Health Authority
- Sharon Shea (co-chair)
- Tipa Mahuta (co-chair)
- Dr Sue Crengle
- Dr Mataroria Lyndon
- Lady Tureiti Moxon
- Fiona Pimm
- Awerangi Tamihere
- Dr Chris Tooley
In my BFD book review of Candace Owen’s excellent book Blackout, I commented that, as an American black young woman, Owen calls out racism in the USA and says how she did not want to be treated differently.
Owen’s chapters jump right into topics with intelligence and courage. Among the subjects, she discusses slavery, Christian faith, culture, education, socialism, family and conservatism. She explains that many in the African American community are turning right as they become aware that the Democratic party are racist. It annoys her that the Democrats treat blacks like they are “stupid”, “victims”, and need to be wrapped up in cotton wool and have their liberties infringed, as they will never be self-reliant. Their ideologies and handouts hold back the black community from rising out of poverty and living successful lives.
It will remain to be seen if NZ Maori, like Owen, do not want to be a part of Labour’s racial divide.
It will also remain to be seen if Maori health improves. Well known NZ Maori (ex MPs), such as Winston Peters and Simon Bridges, would have no part of such blatant racial apartheid. Perhaps the Opposition will promise to overturn this divisive policy as an election policy?
New Zealand may see more Maori turning right as well, as 88% of Maori are already in mainstream health services. It is likely that they want to be independent, have strong confidentiality and be free to make their own choices.
They may not want Maori (only) unelected authorities ruling over them or treating them.
Footnote:- Ministry of Health Budget 2021
List of the services funded:
DHB funding, Pharmaceuticals, Data and digital infrastructure, Disability Support Services, In-Between Travel Settlement, Bowel screening, Breast screening, HPV screening, Smokefree 2025, Ambulance services, Expanding the Healthy Homes Initiative, Cochlear implants, Implementing Ola Manuia Pacific Health and Well-being Action Plan 2020-2025, Establishing an Aged Care Commissioner, Health and Disability Commissioner, Health Quality and Safety Commissioner, End of Life Choice Act implementation, Continuing Mana Ake, Preventing Family Violence and Sexual Violence, Crown response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry, National Immunisation Programme, Public Health Units, Primary Care, Maternity funding, Family Planning, Planned Care Initiative, Supporting NGOs and Well Child Tamariki Ora.
