AA MAATOU MAHI
Our work
AA MAATOU KAUPAPA RAU.
Programmes and projects.
The Trust takes an active advocacy role in preventing harm from alcohol to Maaori. We are not anti-alcohol - we know the majority of New Zealanders make good decisions regarding their consumption of alcohol. Instead, our mahi is focused on supporting the most vulnerable in our society who are impacted by alcohol harm.
Learn more about our mahi below, which aims to eliminate the disproportionate impact of waipiro harm to Maaori.
Kaupapa Te Rapu
Te Rapu is a by Maaori, for Maaori research project that focuses on documenting and describing the stories and experiences of whaanau and communities who have been impacted by alcohol related harms.
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The name of our kaupapa, Te Rapu, was gifted by The Rt Rev. Piihopa Hoori Connor. The word ‘Rapu’ creates a sense of searching and getting it done—a journey toward discovery—to seek the truth and the evidence that already exists through the stories of the people.
​We recognise that our people have the knowledge, skills and capacity to control their own health and destiny, and Te Rapu - our journey toward discovery - will help to inform systemic change so that maatauranga, tikanga and moohiotanga Maaori guide our future.
Alcohol harm and Maaori
Pae ora affirms holistic Maaori approaches – strongly supporting Maaori-led solutions and Maaori models of health and wellness. Pae ora also recognises the desire for Maaori to have control over their future health and wellbeing.
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Maaori must take the lead on delivering initiatives that benefit whaanau Maaori living with FASD, because non-Maaori will never truly understand what ‘harm’ means, nor what it looks like, for Maaori at a deeper level.
We are increasingly returning to becoming the determiners of our future, the future of our whaanau, our hapuu, our iwi, our tamariki, our mokopuna, and of hapori Maaori.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
In 2017, the Kaiaarahi of Kookiri ki Taamakimakaurau Trust filed claim WAI 2624 as part of the Waitangi Tribunal’s Health Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry.
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The impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) to Maaori made up a significant portion of this claim, and in 2021 in a statement of response, the Crown admitted that there is no New Zealand specific data on the prevalence of FASD, and the extent of the issue domestically is quantified only by overseas data.
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After hearing the WAI 2624 claim, the Tribunal's presiding officer recommended that the Crown enter a mediation. Below you can find details of the progress we have made so far.
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Maaori are disproportionately impacted by the proliferation of waipiro in the community - with liquor stores concentrated in low socio-economic areas with high Maaori and Pacific populations - yet legislation is silent on giving Maaori a voice in the granting of alcohol licences.
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There is no requirement to consult with Maaori when granting liquor licences, and when these liquor stores are constantly opening in areas with a high Maaori population, we have a big problem.
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We need urgent action to address the proliferation of liquor stores, and the inaction of District Licensing Committees to ensure these shops are kept away from waahi tapu - and that can only be addressed with a full review of the Act.