Doctors are calling on all political parties to immediately declare their position on the re-drafting of New Zealand’s laws that protect health under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

Medical professionals concerned about the health risks from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, today reacted with shock at the revelations that New Zealand laws could be effectively re-written without the public’s knowledge by the United States.

OraTaiao submission states: 'there is great potential for easy win-wins for the economy, addressing climate change and improving the livelihoods of New Zealanders. However, this would involve a significant shift in thinking from what is expressed in the draft GPS, as well as a much more profound re-balancing of the investment portfolio towards public and active transport'.

Read full submission here.

Health professionals strongly support Generation Zero’s ‘Big Ask’ for cross-party legislative action on climate.

“We must work together now to respond to our changing climate,” says Dr Alex Macmillan, acting co-convenor of OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council. “Enshrining into legislation ambitious targets and how we plan to get there is a powerful way of addressing climate change.”

Health professionals concerned about climate change are alarmed by Bathurst Resources Limited’s announcement this week that site clearance for coal mining on the Denniston Plateau is to start on 1 July.

“Coal is one of the most carbon-intensive fossil fuels”, says Dr Rhys Jones from OraTaiao: The NZ Climate and Health Council. “This means that it poses serious risks to health through its contribution to climate change.”

OraTaiao midwife member Lorna Davies led the development of this international position statement.

Read here.

Jones et al paper in the Harvard Health and Human Rights Journal, June 2014. Read here.

A new report concludes that fracking practices in NZ pose risks to health and the environment. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has recommended that regulations be overhauled and tightened to protect New Zealanders from harm. But the Government’s secret trade negotiations would allow foreign fossil fuel companies to sue us if we do so. Again, this
report demonstrates how the TPPA will undermine our sovereignty in addressing our most important public health issues like climate change.

The New Zealand College of Midwives has successfully called for urgent climate action, with a ground-breaking position statement on climate change accepted today by the International Confederation of Midwives meeting in Prague.

The Confederation, representing more than 300,000 midwives from 102 nations, recognises the serious consequences of our changing climate for women, babies and their families, as well as midwives themselves.

New Zealand doctors have welcomed recent political efforts on climate change, and are calling for real action by all political parties for what is a leading health challenge.

The ‘Climate Protection Plan’ released today by the Green Party has been welcomed by OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council, as a specific, fair and realistic plan to curb our greenhouse pollution.

'Trade accord carries health warning'.  Dr's Mark Smith and Anne Maclennan.  Dominion Post, 13 May 2014.

Read here.

OraTaiao states: 'We are supportive of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (The Council) plans and achievements thus far to enhance public transport...We suggest however, that the balance has changed as we rapidly learn more about Climate Change, adverse health effects of motorised transport..'

Read full submission here.

OraTaiao submission emphasises: 'Climate change has far-reaching effects on human health. Well-planned climate change mitigation strategies can also generate significant co-benefits for health. As health professionals, we see this plan as an opportunity to create a healthier future for Auckland. It is also an opportunity to reduce inequities and help combat the non-communicable disease epidemic.'

Read full submission here.

Macmillan et al paper in Environmental Health Perspectives, April 2014. Read here.

'Is Climate Change a Threat to our Health'. Interview with Co-convenor Dr Alex Macmillan, TV3 Firstline 17 March 2014.

Watch here.

'Research Confirms Fracking Harmful to Health'. Interview with Dr George Laking, TV One News March 12 2014.

Watch here.

OraTaiao submission on Safer Speeds Wellington CBD. 4 February 2014.

Dr Russell Tregonning (orthopaedic surgeon) article in the newsletter of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. Read here.