Audio from the Inaugural World AIDS Day Parliamentary Breakfast, held on 3 December 2024 in Wellington. The recording has been split into two parts - part two can be heard here. Thanks to all of the participants at the event for allowing their speeches and kōrero to be recorded and shared.
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The Inaugural World AIDS Day Parliamentary Breakfast held on December 3, 2024, at the Banquet Hall of New Zealand's Parliament in Wellington, brought together a diverse assembly of individuals and organizations committed to combating HIV/AIDS. This pioneering event underscored New Zealand's longstanding commitment to addressing HIV/AIDS through multi-partisan support, community leadership, and robust health initiatives. The breakfast served as both a platform for reflection and an avenue for reinforcing the nation's HIV Action Plan, a strategic effort targeting the elimination of HIV transmission by 2030 while promoting health equity and stigma reduction.
The opening, led by Nate Rowe, established a tone of unity. Through bilingual karakia and kōrero, Rowe emphasized the shared human connections that transcend individual differences. His reflections underscored the significance of Māori cultural narratives and the importance of collective responsibility in fostering societal well-being.
Joe Rich, Chief Executive of the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, highlighted the dual objectives of eliminating new HIV transmissions and ensuring people living with HIV can lead lives free from stigma. He acknowledged past progress and the role of New Zealand's progressive policies, such as the decriminalization of sex work and the needle exchange program. Rich emphasized the need for sustained community-led initiatives and government collaboration to address gaps in HIV prevention and treatment access.
Minister Matt Doocey outlined the government’s ongoing commitment to the HIV Action Plan. He detailed efforts to allocate $18 million over four years for enhancing HIV testing, outreach, and workforce development. Doocey reaffirmed that reducing stigma and advancing health equity for Māori and other underserved groups are central priorities. His address included updates on the Monitoring Plan, which tracks progress toward eliminating HIV-related health disparities.
Dr. Ayesha Verrall, a former Minister of Health, commended the collaborative and multi-partisan nature of New Zealand’s HIV/AIDS response. Reflecting on her tenure, she recognized the critical role of community organizations in shaping effective public health strategies. Verrall celebrated the leadership of individuals like Rich and advocated for sustained momentum in addressing broader health equity issues affecting the rainbow and Māori communities.
Dr. Clive Aspin and Dr. Amohia Boulton delivered profound insights into the intersection of HIV/AIDS with Māori health and cultural resilience. Aspin reflected on the historical and personal impact of the pandemic, honoring those lost to HIV/AIDS and highlighting the contributions of Māori advocates. He critiqued historical disparities in funding for Māori-focused prevention initiatives, stressing the need for targeted and culturally grounded responses to current challenges.
Dr. Boulton argued for Māori autonomy in designing and implementing HIV/AIDS interventions. She emphasized that culturally informed, whānau-centered approaches are vital for reaching vulnerable populations and achieving health equity. Her call to action advocated leveraging the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Māori-led initiatives effectively protected communities, as a blueprint for tackling HIV/AIDS.
The event also paid homage to activists and advocates whose lives and work have shaped New Zealand’s HIV/AIDS response. Recognitions included Marama Pala for her international advocacy and the late Georgina Beyer for her pioneering leadership. Aspin shared personal recollections, further humanizing the broader narratives of resilience and loss within the HIV/AIDS community.
The event recording continues in Part 2.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
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1980s, 2020s, amohia boulton, aotearoa new zealand, ayesha verrall, banquet hall, burnett foundation aotearoa, clive aspin, hiv / aids, hiv action plan (2022-2032), hiv education, hiv stigma, hiv testing and prevention, hiv testing data, joe rich, matt doocey, member of parliament, nate rowe, parliament buildings, wellington
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