Waitangi claim over Kiwi drinking laws

I won’t stop and if it has to go to the international court, then so be it.’ DAVID RATU

A claim before the Waitangi Tribunal is calling on the Government to raise the price of alcohol in an effort to curb the impact of drinking on the health of Maori.

In his claim, Maori warden David Ratu said the Government had breached the Treaty of Waitangi by not implementing recommendations laid out by the Law Commission in 2010, which included increasing the price of alcohol, raising the drinking age to 20 and restricting alcohol advertising and sponsorship.

Ratu also objected to the Government failing to ensure the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act was consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi.

Ratu, who works in south Auckland for the Turehou Maori Wardens ki Otara Charitable Trust, said he believed the sale, supply, and consumption of alcohol in New Zealand was actively driving health inequalities between Maori and non-Maori. ‘‘I can say that the effects of alcohol and its consumption and supply have been a matter of concern to many of our Maori communities across the motu (island) for some time.’’

Regardless of the claim outcome, Ratu said he would continue to fight for fair alcohol laws.

‘‘I won’t stop and if it has to go to the international court, then so be it.’’

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said he was not aware of the claim and would not comment while it was before the Waitangi Tribunal.