Kia ora Friend --
2024 has certainly carried on from where 2023 left off. It is hard not to be downcast by the growing list of retrograde and damaging decisions being taken by our government such as the (deep breath) repeal of tobacco-free legislation, removal of the clean-car discount, disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora, assaults on Te Reo Māori, threats to undo the role Te Tiriti o Waitangi plays in Aotearoa, the publication of a draft Government Position Statement on transport that wouldn’t be out of place in the car-centric 1950s, and a fast-track consenting bill that gives undue power to ministerial decisions and risks undue influence from lobbyists. Like the bully stomping on a sandcastle at the beach, they’ve unfortunately proved that it’s easier to wreck than to build.
Despite it all there are glimmers of good news happening and there are ways of making your influence heard even with a government that seems intent to ignore equity, fairness, and science. Local government long-term plans are due for updating and many councils will be consulting on these in the coming weeks- if your own is, be sure to put in even a quick submission supporting a healthy and climate-friendly plan. Much of the transport infrastructure we use on a daily basis remains under local council control and funding.
If you are in Wellington on Tuesday 19 March, please come to Parliament at 5pm to protest for Transport for Life and to stand against the government’s proposed transport plans.
Our voices count. OraTaiao has been disheartened by the lack of any major vocal opposition from our various health colleges to the government’s decisions as well as the ongoing humanitarian, health, and climate disaster in Palestine. This isn’t the time to meekly accept that what is happening is inevitable, but to stand up even more loudly against it.
Nāku noa, nā
Dermot & Summer
Co-convenors, OraTaiao: NZ Climate & Health Council
Ora Taiao - March 2024 Newsletter (0.64MB)
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