Hāpai Te Hauora kicked off Smokefree May with Auahitūroa, a travelling art exhibition bidding farewell to the entrenched tobacco culture in Aotearoa.
For years, the Māori Public Health organisation has been advocating for a smokefree Aotearoa and Hāpai Te Hauora chief executive Jacqui Harema remains committed to the cause despite current repeals.
“The main objective of the exhibition is to prompt conversations that acknowledge the role tobacco has played in our culture and the impact it has had on whānau, hāpu, iwi and hāpori. While our smoking statistics are on the decline, our rates among Māori and Pacific peoples are still some of the highest in the country. Auahitūroa strives to end our nation’s deeply rooted smoking culture recognising the harm it causes. It’s time to stop doing the same thing expecting different outcomes,” Harema said.
Last week’s launch led by artist Hori Thompson features presentations from select politicians who will present their “eulogy to tobacco” including Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Labour’s Dr Ayesha Verrall, Green Party MP Huhana Lyndon and Rangatira attending like Hone Harawira and Dame Tariana who continue to spearhead this movement for Māori.
