Prime Minister Launches Labour Health Policy at Vaka Tautua
Tuesday 29 September 2020 marked a historic day for Vaka Tautua. Prime Minister the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Ministers Hon. Chris Hipkins, Hon. Carmel Sepuloni and Hon. Peeni Henare joined the team at Vaka Tautua Manukau to launch Labour’s Health policy for the 2020 General Elections. Labour List MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene was also in attendance.
Vaka Tautua CEO, Dr. Amanda-Lanuola Dunlop, in welcoming the Prime Minister, thanked the government for its financial support during the recent COVID-19 lockdowns that enabled Vaka Tautua to respond faster, wider and deeper to Pacific peoples experiencing mental illness, financial hardship, those with disabilities and older peoples across New Zealand. The organisation’s national FREEPHONE 0800 OLA LELEI Pacific helpline was a key initiative.
In comments echoed by Minister Hipkins, Dr. Dunlop said COVID-19 only highlighted the challenges Pacific peoples were facing.
“COVID reinforced and highlighted the inequities that exist for our Pacific peoples… our comparatively poorer health stats, housing, education… and exacerbated the issues…”
Vaka Tautua Board Member, Dr. Siale ’Alo Foliaki, in thanking the Prime Minister for her leadership during COVID-19 also shared how COVID has impacted on Pacific communities on a personal level.
“For Pacific, if it is a choice between the economics and family, Pacific peoples will always choose to protect the family.”
Dr. Foliaki also acknowledged the tremendous work undertaken by pioneering Pacific Doctor, Dr. Joe Williams who recently passed away from COVID-19.
During the visit, the Prime Minister and her Ministers announced new spending in Mental Health, Primary Healthcare and increases in funding for dental care for adults, cochlear implants and PHARMAC. More mental health services in community spaces and for young children and youth was a key feature.
In closing the official portion of the event, Dr. Dunlop thanked Ms Ardern for the significant number of programmes the government has implemented to reduce inequalities for Pacific peoples such as the He Ara Oranga mental health programme, the Pacific Housing budget announcement, Whanau Ora and the Pacific disability COVID response. However, she said they were only the start.
“… there is still much work that needs to be done… We need to keep moving,” said Dr. Dunlop.
“We and our partner organisations are here, and welcome ongoing opportunities to work with you and your government agencies to help our Pacific peoples to move closer to having the same level of healthcare as other New Zealanders,” said Dr. Dunlop.
The visit wrapped up with the Prime Minister and her team meeting some of Vaka Tautua’s tagata ola (mental health service users).
Vaka Tautua is a national Pacific health and social services provider. It delivers disability, mental health, older peoples, financial capability and social services in the greater Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury regions.