Column by Hon Barbara Edmonds, MP for Mana.
Next week, I will be hosting a series of public meetings focused on our “Keep Kenepuru After-Hours Service” campaign. It’s essential to address growing concerns about health cuts and their impact on our community, and to ensure the decision-makers know that,
“Our community won’t accept any cuts lying down!”
The meetings, taking place on October 9th in Kāpiti and Porirua, provide a crucial opportunity for us to discuss the future of our health services and ensure our voices are heard.
The recent changes in government priorities under Christopher Luxon’s leadership have raised serious alarms. While politicians often tout ambitious targets as signs of commitment, the reality is that many of these targets have proven hollow. The promise to reduce child poverty, for instance, has been undermined by the reversal of key Labour initiatives that directly addressed the issue. National’s decision to reverse the indexation of benefits has left countless families struggling to make ends meet, and the government’s failure to meet their own targets only further emphasizes this point.
Health is another area where we are witnessing the consequences of political decisions. Cuts to health funding are not just numbers on a spreadsheet; they translate into real-life impacts for people in our communities. We cannot ignore the stories of families who have been denied timely access to healthcare, or the individuals who have to choose between paying their bills and seeking medical attention.
The Labour government previously laid a strong foundation for health services, prioritizing accessibility and quality care. But now, with National at the helm, we see a worrying trend. The promise of increased funding and resources has not materialised. Instead, we are facing significant cuts that threaten to dismantle the very services our communities rely on, particularly local after-hours services.
The upcoming public meetings in Kāpiti and Porirua are an opportunity for you to voice your concerns about these health cuts. We will gather on October 9th at 1 PM at 10 Weka Road, Raumati Beach, and again at 6 PM at Mungavin Hall, Porirua. These meetings are essential forums for discussion and action, where we can unite as a community to advocate for the healthcare we deserve.
At these meetings, I encourage everyone to share their experiences and concerns. It is vital that we collectively address the impact of health cuts and hold the decision-makers accountable. We need to make it clear that we will not accept a deterioration of our healthcare services, nor will we tolerate empty promises and targets that do not translate into meaningful change. Almost 1200 of you completed my survey, and keeping Kenepuru After-Hours open was unanimously agreed upon.
“Let’s stand united in this fight for our health services”
And ensure that Kenepuru remains a vital part of our community. Join me on October 9th to make your voice heard and to take a stand for the healthcare that we all deserve. Together, we can make a difference.