The report in the latest issue of The Weekend Sun, from the BOPDHB is another example of the official, racist preferential treatment of Maori. The report indicates a conciliatory, almost patronising, attitude in its reportage of 'health inequalities for Maori”. They then go on to win an award from IPANZ.
What inequality? Already we have seen great preference given exclusively to Maori. A requirement of nurse trainees to visit maraes and the official need to follow marae protocols in hospitals when they are probably regularly followed in normal life by fewer than 20 per cent of those who claim themselves Tangatawhenua, the 14 per cent of the population.
Visitors' allowances are relaxed to suit Maori, numbers of visitors and length of stay, official forms in both languages are presented to all and many are questioned as to any special requirements they may have as Maori.
These are courtesies not offered to any other ethnic or religious group. These were not promised by the Treaty but just the rights of all citizens.
The poor state of Maori health is the sole responsibility of Maori. No one forces cigarettes into their mouths, poor food and booze into their guts. No one denies them the education that is freely available to all, and without which many become unemployed. No one forces a marked dependency on public welfare.
Maori should therefore consider solving these problems out of the large assets that they have accrued through Treaty settlements and cease to be a continual burden on the public purse. No one should call them disadvantaged.

Bryan Johnson, Omokoroa.