Draft:Buller Declaration
The Buller Declaration is a petition calling upon the New Zealand Government to address the quality of the country's health system and services. It was launched on 28 September 2024 by Malcolm Mulholland, the chairperson of Patient Voice Aotearoa, who subsequently travelled around the South Island to gather signatures. Notable signatories have included the Mayor of Buller and representatives from several medical professional bodies including the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, the Rural Health Network, and the New Zealand Royal College of General Practitioners.[1][2] The campaign began with a silent march in the Buller District town of Westport on 28 September to oppose proposed cuts to regional health services.[3] By mid October 2024, the Buller Declaration had attracted about 4,000 signatures following a road tour in other South Island centres including Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, Ashburton and Christchurch.[4]
Text
[edit]The Buller Declaration on the State of the New Zealand health system consists of the following text:
As signatories to this declaration, we assert:
- Aotearoa New Zealand's health system is in a state of crisis.
- The Government must act urgently to address that crisis.
- Rural, Māori, and low-income populations are disproportionately impacted by the crisis.
- The Government must act urgently to meet its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and protect Māori health, in consultation with iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-groups).
- The Government must allocate additional resources to train, recruit and retain more nurses, doctors and specialists.[1][2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Buller Declaration on the State". My Life Matters. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ a b Patient Voice Aotearoa (28 September 2024). "Historic Declaration On The State Of The New Zealand Health System". Scoop. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ McMahon, Brendon (13 October 2024). "Buller Declaration warmly received". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 1 January 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ Wilkie, Freddie (11 October 2024). "Healthcare action declaration stops off in Blenheim". Marlborough Express. The Press. Archived from the original on 1 January 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/05/reefton-residents-brave-rain-to-rally-against-health-cuts/