Organised by Patient Voice Aotearoa, the Buller Declaration highlights the state of the New Zealand health system and has been signed so far by 60,000 people.
“The support we’ve received for this petition, this kaupapa from around the country has been amazing. Whether Māori in rural area, Pākeha in the city – they all agree that our health system in crisis,” PVA chair Dr Malcolm Mulholland said.
‘What saddens me is that so many people have horror stories of how the system has let them down in their time of need.’
“The declaration is an affirmation from the people that they expect a well-functioning public health system that includes adequate staffing throughout all aspects of our health system. The failure to do so has resulted in poorer health outcomes for so many of our people.
“What saddens me is that so many people have horror stories of how the system has let them down in their time of need. The public blames the sad state of our public health system on the bureaucrats and politicians who are responsible for running it.
The hīkoi is an opportunity for patients and the public to tell those who are in a position of power with the ability to change our health system for the better to do so immediately, as well as show support for our health workforce who are struggling mentally, physically and emotionally, Mulholland said.
The hīkoi started at Patterson Park (Westport Trotting Club) on Saturday November 1 and ends at Parliament on Tuesday November 18. Today, the hīkoi gets underway in Invercargill and Dunedin.
The declaration measures around 200 metres, with more sheets likely to be added as it nears the capital.
What triggered the Buller Declaration?
Check out Kaitiaki’s coverage from last year about what motivated the declaration to be created.
What does the declaration call for?
- Aotearoa New Zealand’s health system is in a state of crisis.
- The Government must act urgently to address that crisis.
- Rural, Māori, and low-income populations are disproportionately impacted by the crisis.
- The Government must act urgently to meet its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and protect Māori health, in consultation with iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-groups).
- The Government must allocate additional resources to train, recruit and retain more nurses, doctors and specialists.
Hīkoi schedule
Saturday November 1 – Westport
10:00 am Patterson Park (Westport Trotting Club) to the Westport Clock Tower via Te Rau Kawakawa (Buller Hospital)
Monday November 3 – Invercargill and Dunedin
10:00 am Southland Charity Hospital to Southland Hospital
3:30 pm Dunedin Dental School to the Octagon
Tuesday November 4 – Timaru and Christchurch
11:00 am Caledonian Park to Timaru Hospital
3:30 pm Christchurch Botanical Garden Carpark to Christchurch Hospital
Wednesday November 5 – Nelson
9:00 am Wigzell Park to Nelson Hospital
Thursday November 6 – Masterton and Hastings
10:00 am Masterton hīkoi from Henley Lake Carpark to Wairarapa Hospital
3:30 pm Hastings hīkoi from Frimley Park to Hawkes Bay Hospital
Friday November 7 – Gisborne and Whakatāne
10:00 am Gisborne hīkoi from Mangapapa Reserve to Gisborne Hospital
3:30 pm Whakatāne hīkoi from Rex Morpeth Park to Whakatāne Hospital
Monday November 10 – Kaitaia
12:00 am Kaitaia hīkoi from Jaycee Park to Kaitaia Hospital
Tuesday November 11 – Whangārei
12:30 Whangārei Hospital from Putahi Park to Whangārei Hospital
Friday November 14 – Hamilton
10:00 am Hamilton hīkoi from Hamilton Lake Playground to Waikato Hospital
Sunday November 16 – Palmerston North
1:30 pm Palmerston North hīkoi from Edward Pit Park to Midcentral Hospital