Te ORA, the Māori Medical Practitioners Association acknowledges the work of the Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry and respectfully forwards this submission.
Te ORA is the professional body representing approximately 350 Māori medical practitioner across general medical practice and the specialties. Our members include students and doctors. We work as clinicians, researchers and teachers. We support members in their working lives, assist younger colleagues through professional training, work with the Medical Council of New Zealand and the Council of Medical Colleges to develop cultural competency programmes for New Zealand (and Australian doctors) and we run and attend annual scientific meetings and international indigenous conferences for medical practitioners. Te ORA’s vision is to provide Māori medical leadership to the health sector to effect Māori health development.