AUCKLAND, October 16, 2007  –  A recent statement from the Maori Party regarding HIV diagnoses demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of the epidemic and the services of the Foundation, says New Zealand AIDS Foundation board chair Hoani Jeremy Lambert.

Mr. Lambert’s reaction follows comments by Maori Party health spokesperson Tariana Turia at the weekend that the organisation is spending too much time working with gay white males at the expense of Maori and other groups.

“Mrs Turia appears confused about the work of our organisation,” says Mr. Lambert in a statement today.

“We have a focus on HIV prevention that reflects the epidemiology of the virus.  Just as smoking cessation programmes focus more on Maori women, so does our work focus more upon men who have sex with men [MSM].”

The New Zealand AIDS Foundation also delivers a comprehensive programme specifically aimed at preventing HIV transmission amongst Maori MSM.

“The work of our Hauora Takataapui team appears to have been overlooked by Mrs Turia.  On behalf of the Foundation, I would like to recognise the hard work of our talented Maori staff,” Mr. Lambert continued.

The New Zealand AIDS Foundation is funded by the Ministry of Health to deliver prevention programmes to MSM and African Refugee and Migrant Communities.  Aside from these programmes, general funding for the prevention of STIs, including HIV heterosexual transmission is held by other agencies.

“Perhaps Mrs Turia is unaware of this,” he said.

In addition to its prevention work, the New Zealand AIDS Foundation delivers a range of services to support all people in New Zealand living with the virus.  These services include research, counselling, advocacy and education.

“The New Zealand AIDS Foundation has provided care and support services for all people living with and affected by HIV, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation for over 20 years and is proud to do so,” Mr. Lambert said. 

In relation to the statistics for the first six months of 2006, he is also concerned about Mrs Turia’s selective interpretation.

“The Foundation is continually looking at HIV epidemiology data to inform its future work.  It is important to note that of the 12 new Maori notifications in the first six months, we have no further information other than gender.  More information will not be available until the end of the year – it is at that point that we look at recent and overall trends to see what adjustments to our programme of work need to be made,” he concluded.

SEE ALSO

HIV: Too Much Emphasis on White Gay Males – Maori Party.  The Maori Party spokesperson for health in the New Zealand Parliament has said that not enough is being done to combat HIV in the Maori population, saying “even amongst the marginalised there is marginalisation”.  (UK Gay News, October 14, 2006)

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Posted: 16 October 2007 at 09:30 (UK time)