 
October 17, 2007
Racism Fueling HIV in New Zealand?
A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Maori party alleges that the government is neglecting the HIV/AIDS crisis among the country’s indigenous Maori population (ukgaynews.org.uk, 10/14).
A report last month showed that HIV prevalence among the Maori population rose from 6.4 percent of all the country’s infections in 2006, to 11.4 percent in the first half of 2007.
Tariana Turia, health spokesperson for the Maori party, has stirred debate by contending that “ethnic targeting which favors white males is a reflection of the bias which exists in the wider community and society.”
“I have advised the Minister of Health some two months ago about concerns reported to me that the needs of Maori living with HIV, HIV-positive women, migrant[s] and refugees were being neglected in favor of white gay men,” Turia said.
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