Standing Firm in the Storm – Reflections from a Powerful Hui on Racism and Healthcare
I had the privilege of attending a deeply moving and thought-provoking kōrero featuring two powerhouse wāhine Māori leaders, Lady Tureiti Moxon and Dr Elana Curtis, with the engaging Stacey Morrison guiding the discussion. The evening was filled with raw truth, fierce advocacy, and unwavering hope. I left feeling both challenged and inspired.
The hui tackled the brutal reality of the current political climate, one where equity is under direct attack. From the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora to the rollback of ethnicity-based health initiatives, the speakers didn’t mince words. Dr Curtis described it as “an evil layer of racism,” and Lady Moxon called out the government’s actions for what they are: deliberate and destructive. “Everything they’re doing favours Pākehā domination,” she said, and the examples given left no doubt.
Te Aka Whai Ora was more than just a policy win, it was a moment of promise, hope, and tino rakatirataka in action. Both speakers had played major roles in its creation, and the pain of watching it be dismantled was palpable. It wasn’t just a structural change, it was a gutting of wairua, of trust, of the possibility of health equity in our lifetimes.
What struck me most, though, was their clarity about what really matters in healthcare. Lady Moxon reminded us that equity is about ensuring our whānau are safe, housed, fed, and cared for. Not just ticking off targets. And as Dr Curtis powerfully put it, “To get it right for Māori is to understand the language of oppression – and change the systems doing the oppressing.”
Among the heaviness, there was also hope. Resistance. A call to stay sovereign in our thinking, to hold fast to mana motuhake and aroha. That’s the end game. And that’s what I’ll carry forward from this kōrero: a renewed commitment to speak up, stay present, and help build the future our tūpuna dreamed of.
If you ever get the chance to hear these wahine speak, take it. And take notes! Lucky for us, the Auckland Woman’s Centre filmed the kōrero and can be found below: