Greens celebrate better support for grieving whānau

The Green Party is today celebrating the Government’s response to a Green-led select committee inquiry into supporting grieving whānau with accessing and managing the tūpāpaku (deceased bodies) of their loved ones.

Responding to concerns raised by Māori about dealing with authorities regarding the tūpāpaku of deceased family members, former Greens Co-leader Metiria Turei initiated the inquiry at the Māori Affairs Select Committee. The inquiry was then driven and led by Green MP Marama Davidson.

The Government response, tabled in Parliament today, accepts nearly all of the Committee’s recommendations.

“The Government adopting these recommendations is fantastic news for Māori communities who sent a strong message that change is needed,” said Green Party Māori development spokesperson Marama Davidson.

“We heard from many whānau about how upsetting it has been for them in their grief to be denied the ability to stay with their loved one’s tūpāpaku and make the decisions on how it is treated and managed.

“All whānau were asking for is the opportunity to farewell and honour their loved ones in a way that upholds their culture, and tikanga Māori.

“Recommendations include working to adopt standards, codes of best practice and formal communication processes for relevant agencies such as the Police, coronial services and funeral homes.

“The changes will address the concerns, and make a real difference at what is one of the most difficult and stressful times for whānau.

“This is an important example of the Green change we are now delivering, and how this progressive Government is making a real difference for communities,” said Ms Davidson.

Action

Protect Nature

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing Aotearoa. Volu...

Action

Save Auckland's Climate Budget

Sign the petition to stop Mayor Wayne Brown's proposal for dangerous cuts to climate and environmental programmes that protect us from extreme weat...

Action

No New Mines 2023

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Trains for Climate

Add your name to our open letter urging the Minister for Finance Grant Robertson to save our passenger trains between Wellington, the Wairarapa and...

Action

Healthy Oceans 2022

Join our Healthy Oceans Crew to help us keep the health and protection of our oceans high on the Labour Government’s political agenda.

Action

It's time: A Ministry for Rainbow Communities

Join our call asking the Prime Minister to establish a Ministry for Rainbow Communities that can champion Rainbow issues.

Action

No new mines on conservation land

Sign the open letter asking Labour Ministers to stick to their promise of banning new mining projects on conservation land.

Action

Allow community ownership of our buses

Public transport is an essential service and helps to tackle the climate crisis by reducing our carbon emissions. But there are barriers to communi...

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Māori Development Announcements

Story

Greens back Waitangi Tribunal inquiry into climate change policy

The Green Party supports The Waitangi Tribunal holding a priority kaupapa inquiry into climate change policy.

Dental stories collection reinforces need to invest in kaupapa Māori solutions

The Green Party has released a collection of stories showing the dire need for free dental care in Aotearoa.

Green Party releases policy to return land to Māori

The time is now to be bold and make sure land wrongly taken from Māori is returned.

Greens welcome much needed investment but Labour can go further for Te Ao Māori & Pasifika in the Budget

Today the Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka (Māori and Pasifika) caucus supported the 2023 Budget, but there’s still room for improvement.

Greens call on the government to end perpetual leases

The Green Party calls on the Government to end perpetual leases over Māori land so that Māori landowners can directly control their lands.

Greens support Operation Pātiki restoring name for awa

The Green Party is proud to support Kohupātiki Marae to uphold the mana of their awa.