Racist As

Racist as

Health system of Aotearoa

Racism is a public health issue.
Systemic Racism is killing tangata whenua.

Tahi

Welcome to 2121!

Welcome to 2121!

Nau mai, haere mai. Welcome to the future.

On this day, the second of January, 2121, we have been Racism-free for a century.

Back in 2021, Racism was declared an epidemic in Aotearoa.

Nowadays, the virus has been eliminated but not eradicated.

No one is immune to this virus. We must remain vigilant at all times.

Let’s take a look back to see how we came together as a team of 5 million to stop this virus.

Rua

Mirror on society.

Mirror on society.

Before 2021, there was a gross under-representation of Māori and Pasefika in our health workforce.

Especially in medical and clinical positions.

For example, in 2020 Māori made up 16% of the population. Yet less than 4% of doctors were Māori.

In contrast, in positions such as cleaners and orderlies, Māori and Pasefika representation matched the population.

These uniforms are a reminder to always be alert for this “invisible” virus.

Toru

To the privileged, fairness feels like oppression.

To the privileged, fairness feels like oppression.

We can’t go back in time to reverse the ongoing and compounding effects of colonisation.

Māori must determine their own health or hauora with tino rangatiratanga (self-governance).

Health isn’t just about being physically unwell. It’s affected by a bunch of wider factors.

Things like housing, education, and justice.

This public sculpture shows the heavy burden of colonisation on our health system.
It also shows the social determinants of health that are the levers for change.

Whā

Stamp it out.

Stamp it out.

This virus does not discriminate. Everyone is vulnerable to Racism.

While there is no vaccine, you can protect yourself and others by:

Tahi - Checking your privilege

Rua - Educating yourself

Toru - Doing better

Rima

Sign up. Stop the virus.

We are powerless to affect change if we begin by saying it can’t be done.

You can do something today.

Read this petition. Sign it. Keep listening and learning.

Noho ora mai (stay well, goodbye).