Meningococcal campaign Maori success story
Health Minister Pete Hodgson says a meningococcal B vaccination campaign for Maori children was an example of how ethnic targeting can be used effectively.
Race-based programmes have been out of favour since the early years of the Labour led government, when its Closing the Gaps strategy for Maori came under sustained fire from Opposition parties.
But Pete Hodgson says it was clear existing programmes weren't reaching Maori, and it made sense to use Maori health providers, marae, and other sources of Maori leadership to reach out into the community.
“Well you see I’m a honky from the South Island mate, and I just think if any group of people can be identified – they come from Canterbury, or they’re seven, or they’re Maori, whatever, it doesn’t mater how you see them, if you can identify them usefully as needing more, then you go to Canterbury, or seven year olds, or Maori, and you deal to it,” Hodgson said.
Pete Hodgson says the incidence of meningococcal B meningitis in the northern North Island has dropped by 90 percent as a result of the campaign, and it could soon be consigned to history.
TOURISM BACKING PAYING FOR POUTAMA
The Poutama Trust says its support for the Maori tourism sector is showing dividends after the latest tourism industry Rendezvous New Zealand showcase in Christchurch.
The government-appointed trust has focussed on the sector, including paying booth costs for up to three years for Maori operators to attend TRENZ, the industry's main marketing event
Poutama Trust chief executive Richard Jones says 15 ventures made the trip to Te Waipounamu, and they made a positive impact on travel wholesalers looking for a unique experiences to market to the world.
IN: Most of them this is the third or sometimes the fifth time they’ve attended, so the buyers recognize them and have confidence and credibility, they know they’re around, they won’t be here one year and gone the next. Tourism is like that, it’s easy to get in, but it’s competitive, so it’s hard to stay in and make a go of it,” Jones said.
Richard Jones says next year's TRENZ showcase will be in Rotorua, which will guarantee a higher turn-out of Maori tourism businesses.
RANGATAHI PREPARING FOR WELLBEING HUI
The Alcohol Advisory Council ALAC is set to get an infusion of fresh energy after an indigenous well being hui in Canada next month.
ALAC is helping 12 young Maori join the New Zealand contingent to the six day "Healing Our Spirit Worldwide" conference, which will tackle issues of substance abuse and holistic healing strategies among indigenous peoples.
ALAC youth project manager Te Rina Moke says much of the value in the trip will be on their return.
“The 12 rangatahi will be expected to mahi in their rohe, so we are trying to wrap around individual programmes for all of those rangatahi to work alongside us to mahi in their rohe to share the experiences they have learned in their communities,” Moke said.
HAURAKI PREPARES FOR TRIBUNAL REPORT
Debates over Maori entitlement to foreshore and seabed are likely to be back on the agenda this week with the release of the Waitangi Tribunal's report into the Hauraki Claim.
The tribunal will hand over its report to the Marutuahui tribes at Ngahutoitoi Marae in Paeroa on Saturday.
Hauraki Claims manager John McInteer says it was the tribunal's longest-running claim so far, with 27 hearings between 1998 and 2002.
He says the claim was distinguished by the focus on natural resources, the virtual landlessness of Hauraki and the loss of its coastal estate as a result of the finding of gold on the Coromandel peninsula.
“ Foreshore and seabed was obviously a very important one for us because we have been battling that since the 1860s, and we are hoping for some findings on the way we have held customary interests,” McInteer said.
John McInteer says Hauraki is keen to start negotiations for a settlement as soon as possible after the Waitangi Tribunal report is released.
VACCINE CAMPAIGN RAISES JAB AWARENESS
The Health Minister says the success of a vaccination programme against the meningococcal B meningitus virus in Maori children will have positive spin-offs for other public health measures.
The programme, which targeted Maori children, has reduced the number of meningococcal B incidents by 90 percent in Auckland and Northland.
Pete Hodgson says Maori have become much more aware of the benefits of vaccines in general.
“We can anticipate a greater responsiveness to vaccination by Maori because they have seen what a nasty disease can do and they have seen how you can really deal to it,” Hodson said.
Pete Hodgson says the Health Ministry is willing to mount ethnically-targeted campaigns where there is a proven need.
GREEN WELCOMES PRISON DRUG SERVICE
Greens' Maori Affairs spokesperson Metiria Turei says increased treatment services for prisoners with alcohol and drug addictions are long overdue.
The Government is increasing the number of treatment beds for male prisoners from 22 to 60 at Waikeria Prison and another 60 at Christchurch.
Ms Turei says many inmates arrive in prison with substance abuse problems, but little is done about them.
Race-based programmes have been out of favour since the early years of the Labour led government, when its Closing the Gaps strategy for Maori came under sustained fire from Opposition parties.
But Pete Hodgson says it was clear existing programmes weren't reaching Maori, and it made sense to use Maori health providers, marae, and other sources of Maori leadership to reach out into the community.
“Well you see I’m a honky from the South Island mate, and I just think if any group of people can be identified – they come from Canterbury, or they’re seven, or they’re Maori, whatever, it doesn’t mater how you see them, if you can identify them usefully as needing more, then you go to Canterbury, or seven year olds, or Maori, and you deal to it,” Hodgson said.
Pete Hodgson says the incidence of meningococcal B meningitis in the northern North Island has dropped by 90 percent as a result of the campaign, and it could soon be consigned to history.
TOURISM BACKING PAYING FOR POUTAMA
The Poutama Trust says its support for the Maori tourism sector is showing dividends after the latest tourism industry Rendezvous New Zealand showcase in Christchurch.
The government-appointed trust has focussed on the sector, including paying booth costs for up to three years for Maori operators to attend TRENZ, the industry's main marketing event
Poutama Trust chief executive Richard Jones says 15 ventures made the trip to Te Waipounamu, and they made a positive impact on travel wholesalers looking for a unique experiences to market to the world.
IN: Most of them this is the third or sometimes the fifth time they’ve attended, so the buyers recognize them and have confidence and credibility, they know they’re around, they won’t be here one year and gone the next. Tourism is like that, it’s easy to get in, but it’s competitive, so it’s hard to stay in and make a go of it,” Jones said.
Richard Jones says next year's TRENZ showcase will be in Rotorua, which will guarantee a higher turn-out of Maori tourism businesses.
RANGATAHI PREPARING FOR WELLBEING HUI
The Alcohol Advisory Council ALAC is set to get an infusion of fresh energy after an indigenous well being hui in Canada next month.
ALAC is helping 12 young Maori join the New Zealand contingent to the six day "Healing Our Spirit Worldwide" conference, which will tackle issues of substance abuse and holistic healing strategies among indigenous peoples.
ALAC youth project manager Te Rina Moke says much of the value in the trip will be on their return.
“The 12 rangatahi will be expected to mahi in their rohe, so we are trying to wrap around individual programmes for all of those rangatahi to work alongside us to mahi in their rohe to share the experiences they have learned in their communities,” Moke said.
HAURAKI PREPARES FOR TRIBUNAL REPORT
Debates over Maori entitlement to foreshore and seabed are likely to be back on the agenda this week with the release of the Waitangi Tribunal's report into the Hauraki Claim.
The tribunal will hand over its report to the Marutuahui tribes at Ngahutoitoi Marae in Paeroa on Saturday.
Hauraki Claims manager John McInteer says it was the tribunal's longest-running claim so far, with 27 hearings between 1998 and 2002.
He says the claim was distinguished by the focus on natural resources, the virtual landlessness of Hauraki and the loss of its coastal estate as a result of the finding of gold on the Coromandel peninsula.
“ Foreshore and seabed was obviously a very important one for us because we have been battling that since the 1860s, and we are hoping for some findings on the way we have held customary interests,” McInteer said.
John McInteer says Hauraki is keen to start negotiations for a settlement as soon as possible after the Waitangi Tribunal report is released.
VACCINE CAMPAIGN RAISES JAB AWARENESS
The Health Minister says the success of a vaccination programme against the meningococcal B meningitus virus in Maori children will have positive spin-offs for other public health measures.
The programme, which targeted Maori children, has reduced the number of meningococcal B incidents by 90 percent in Auckland and Northland.
Pete Hodgson says Maori have become much more aware of the benefits of vaccines in general.
“We can anticipate a greater responsiveness to vaccination by Maori because they have seen what a nasty disease can do and they have seen how you can really deal to it,” Hodson said.
Pete Hodgson says the Health Ministry is willing to mount ethnically-targeted campaigns where there is a proven need.
GREEN WELCOMES PRISON DRUG SERVICE
Greens' Maori Affairs spokesperson Metiria Turei says increased treatment services for prisoners with alcohol and drug addictions are long overdue.
The Government is increasing the number of treatment beds for male prisoners from 22 to 60 at Waikeria Prison and another 60 at Christchurch.
Ms Turei says many inmates arrive in prison with substance abuse problems, but little is done about them.
posted by Adam | 10:49 am
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