E ngā reo, e ngā mana, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa! 
 
The PHA Wellington branch welcomes you to April 2019 newsletter.  Nau mai haere mai! 
 
The devastating tragedy that took place on Friday 15^th March, left Aotearoa in darkness, silence and shattered with sadness and grief.  Aotearoa grieved for those who were tragically taken.  Suddenly a ripple of compassion, kindness, generosity and love grew, and waves of this support travelled across the country, and not long it travelled across the globe showing the world that we are a country of hope as we stand in unity and solidarity against all forms of racism.  Absolutely heart-warming, humbling and beautiful.  I am optimistic and hopeful that we can grow stronger from this tragedy.  Our world needs healing!  We must also do things to change.  We must challenge our mindsets, our bias and prejudices.  We must challenge each other in supportive learning environments to learn and understand.  We must challenge the histories being taught in our schools and learn our own history pre and post colonisation in Aotearoa.  We must challenge ourselves to do more, to create a better home and country for all.  We must challenge the concept of racism!          
 
Climate change is now the biggest risk to humanity and should be recognised as the biggest Public Health issue across the globe.  16-year-old, Swedish Climate Activist Greta Thunberg stated that “our political leaders have failed us”. This is an event that also took place on Friday 15^th March, unfortunately, it was overshadowed by the tragedy that happened in Christchurch.  It’s important that our young be recognised for their efforts to take a stand against the government and demand changes now, “So we can’t save the world by playing by the rules. Because the rules have to be changed.”  Thousands of students in Aotearoa and millions from around the world stood in unity and solidarity to fight against climate change. “We have come here to let them know that change is coming whether they like it or not. The people will rise to the challenge. And since our leaders are behaving like children, we will have to take the responsibility they should have taken long ago.”
 
There is a lot to do and this month’s issue is an opportunity to reflect.  It’s also an opportunity to actively take part on submissions that is currently open to the public and groups.  
 
Māori lawyer, Moana Jackson provides an analysis and discussion about understanding racism from an indigenous perspective in Aotearoa.  Another feature looks at Aotearoa’s history of colonial terrorism – the process of colonisation in Aotearoa.  Students take action and apply the skills and knowledge obtained from the classroom environment and take it to the streets for an outdoor excursion in support of Climate Change!  Our young people are our leaders of tomorrow and they stood for the rights of humanity!  What further action is our New Zealand Labour government going to do regarding Climate Change?  New Zealand’s government make a stand together and ban firearm weapons!  The public are encouraged to have their say and support the ban by making a submission. Cut price petrol seller – Gull will be establishing petrol outlets across the Wellington region soon.  This could be interesting to see how this will impact other petrol giants across the region.  Porirua’s city council has been doing some great work as they plan for growing the city.  There may be an opportunity for the PHA Wellington branch.  Please check out our newsletter and continue to watch this space.
 
Noho ora mai
 
Co-chairs Nita Brown and Ramil Adhikari
Public Health Association – Wellington branch. 
 

Discount petrol business Gull hopes to bring lower fuel prices to the Wellington region by the end of the year. A resource consent  has been lodged with the Hutt City Council by Gull to build an unmanned station in Petone.The consent includes four double pumps at the proposed station on a site currently occupied by a second hand clothing store on Waione St.

Further details, click here.