New Zealand Government Response To UPR Recommendations
Te Whāriki Takapou and Family Planning New Zealand are thrilled that the New Zealand Government has stated that “protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights is a human rights priority.”
Policy and Advisory Services
Te Whāriki Takapou provides policy and advisory services to help build healthy public policy. Examples include advocating for Māori-responsive public health policy, assisting organisations to reorient services, and working with the media to inform Māori communities. Some of our work is highlighted here.
Te Whāriki Takapou and Family Planning welcome new United Nations recommendations to remove abortion from the Crimes Act and adopt the Law Commission’s Model A
For release: Fri, 25 January 2019. The United Nations Human Rights Council has added its voice to the growing groundswell of support for New Zealand removing abortion from the Crimes Act and adopting the Law Commission’s proposed model A.
32nd Session Universal Periodic Review of New Zealand
For release: Fri, 7 December 2018 On 21 January 2019 New Zealand undergoes the 32nd Universal Periodic Review of our compliance to CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Te Whariki Takapou, in collaboration with Family Planning, is pleased to advocate for rights for all Māori women so as […]
Media release – Abortion is not a crime
For release: Tue, 06 November 2018 On 26 October the Law Commission released their briefing paper following the request in February from the Minister of Justice to provide alternative approaches that could be taken for the Government to treat abortion as a health issue. Te Whariki Takapou supports removing the statutory grounds for abortion so that […]
Media Interview (Te Karere): Sexual health taught using traditional Māori stories
For release: Thu, 11 October 2018 Te Whāriki Takapou and Te Kaha o Te Rangatahi were interviewed on Te Karere on 11 October 2018 highlighting the use of mātauranga Māori resources around sexual and reproductive health.
ACC: Mates and Dates Funding
Te Whāriki Takapou has been highly critical of the decision by ACC to spend $18.4m on the ‘Mates and Dates’ programme rather than invest in culturally appropriate teacher-led sexuality education in schools.
Press Release: ACC’s sexuality education won’t protect young Māori
For release: Friday, 3 July 2018 Māori sexual and reproductive health promotion organisation Te Whāriki Takapou is highly critical of the decision by ACC to spend $18.4m on the ‘Mates and Dates’ programme rather than invest in culturally appropriate teacher-led sexuality education in schools.
Press Release: ACC consent classes are an irresponsible waste of money – experts
For release: Friday, 3 July 2018 A national group of sexuality and health education experts, made up of teachers, researchers, sector leaders and practitioners, is raising strong opposition to the move by ACC to extend the Mates and Dates programme across the country at a cost of $18m plus.
Report to CEDAW (2018)
The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty, ratified by New Zealand in 1985. Governments of countries that have ratified CEDAW are obliged to submit periodic reports to the CEDAW monitoring committee, outlining their progress in meeting their obligations under the convention. Te Whāriki Takapou, the […]
Submission to the Law Commission on Abortion and Māori (2018)
In 2018, the Law Commission sought input from the public and appropriate health professionals into the Government’s intention to propose a policy shift to treat abortion as a health issue. The Minister of Justice had asked the Commission to provide advice on what alternative approaches could be taken in the legal framework to align with […]