WAIKATO-TAINUI JOINS THE WAR AGAINST METH!

PURELY TRIBAL - SAY KAO TO P! HUI
10am, Saturday 10 October 2009
Te Kauhanganui Debating Chambers, Hopuhopu

Waikato-Tainui has joined the war against the drug methamphetamine and are encouraging their tribal members to attend a hui at Hopuhopu next month.

The hui is targeted at Waikato-Tainui whaanau as well as service providers working amongst the tribe, and is designed to raise awareness, distribute information, seek commitment, and gather feedback.

Project leader and Te Arataura board member Sonny Wilson says the world is currently facing its fifth epidemic with this drug, and research indicates Maaori are feeling the harmful and destructive effects of ‘meth’ at many levels. He says he understands that internationally, no rehabilitation models have been developed.

“In this country, people battling this epidemic from grassroots levels tell us that the international rehab world is now looking towards Aotearoa and specifically Maaori, to see how we have responded,” said Mr Wilson.

“Indicators are that we have responded and culturally we’re drawn back to whaanau, Marae, hapuu and iwi frameworks for support.”

Meth or Pure or ‘P’ as it’s more commonly known, is a highly addictive class A drug said to have been invented over 100 years ago and later used to keep soldiers focused in battle. Mr Wilson says his board considers that the drug itself has now become the war, and Waikato-Tainui are determined to join the battle. He implores other iwi to champion self determination amongst Maaori.

“We’ve adopted a brand championing a ‘Purely Tribal’ concept - a brand that is clearly Maaori, one our youth can relate to, as well as promoting the colours of tino rangatiratanga, self determination. The red graphic representing the letter L with the double ended koru pattern, is a stylised P pipe. Coupled with the word ‘Purely’, the concept is about turning a bad thing into a positive representation that connects one to their tribal identity.

“This brand draws on the positive connectedness Maaori have with their culture and heritage and promotes that the answers and choices come from within them.”

Hui Programme here

For more information about the hui, please contact:
Johnine Davis, Tribal Development Officer, Waikato-Tainui
Freephone: 0800 TAINUI

Media Interviews:
Project Manager: Sonny Wilson 021 1484 828
Kaikoorero: Martin Cooper 027 443 6611