<p style="text-align:center"><em><span style="font-size:12px">The organising committee &amp; presenters</span></em></p>

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<h4>As part of our commitment to staying abreast of recent research, issues of concern to M&#257;ori, and understanding the impacts on M&#257;ori health, our Business Manager attended the STIR Symposium on 13 September 2016.</h4>

<p>STIR is an acronym for Stop Institutional Racism with a particular focus on institutional racism in health care. This was an opportunity to hear from a range of high calibre international experts in the area of institutional racism and listen to k&#333;rero on the latest research underway.</p>

<p>There were a range of people who attended; academics, researchers, providers, district health board staff, Treaty workers, politicians, iwi leaders and students. As an organisation we were particularly interested in the symposium because it had a public health focus, and the work is inextricably linked to our research which aims to improve the lives of M&#257;ori, wh&#257;nau, hap&#363; and iwi. Another drawcard was that our inaugural scholarship recipient Emma Rawson was part of the organising committee. &nbsp;As a result of the symposium, and as the Business Manager for Whakauae, I reflected on the role of allies in supporting indigenous health and the unique contribution we can make as P&#257;keh&#257; to a Treaty of Waitangi partnership. I was also inspired by the commitment and generosity of the more than 120 participants and the presenters.</p>

<p>I am still reflecting on two things:</p>

<ul>
	<li>The quote by Dominic O&rsquo;Sullivan &ndash; &ldquo;Public policy is made in crowded offices and the daily encounters of street level workers&rdquo;.</li>
	<li>Small disparities (quasi events) in treatment and delivery of care have the potential to add up over time.</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align:center"><br />
<img alt="STIR ? Stop Institutional Racism Symposium" src="/uploads/images/14361447_10205684011418160_6799676709121207627_o.jpg" style="height:488px; width:650px" /><br />
<em><span style="font-size:12px">Emma Rawson presenting her research</span></em></p>

<p style="text-align:right">By Sonja Loveridge - Business Manager</p>

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<h3>The press release from the committee is referenced below:</h3>

<p>Institutional racism is unfair, unjust and damaging for M&#257;ori, Pacifica and other minority ethnic groups who live in New Zealand. It is a form of racism that is often embedded into our political and social institutions. Dr Heather Came, STIR co-chair explains &ldquo;It is a pattern of behaviour that disadvantages one group of people while advantaging another. It is difficult to counter because the institutions and governments frequently deny its presence&rdquo;.</p>

<p>STIR: Stop Institutional Racism formed in 2013 is a network of public health practitioners and activist scholars committed to ending institutional racism in the administration of the public health sector. On Tuesday 13th September, at Te M&#257;hurehure Cultural Marae, Pt Chevalier the inaugural STIR Symposium is being held. Around 120 participants are expected from across New Zealand to plan to end racism.</p>

<p>Grant Berghan co-chair of STIR explains &ldquo;It can be difficult to talk about racism. We want to show how pervasive it is but also how unfair and damaging it can be. We need to have the courage to talk about this amongst our friends and colleagues&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The Symposium has attracted a number of local and international experts in this field including Professor Yin Paradies from Deakin University, Associate-Professor Dominic O&rsquo;Sullivan from Charles Sturt University, Associate-Professor Derek Griffith from Vanderbilt University and Dr Heather Came, of Auckland University of Technology. Dame Susan Devoy, Mayor Andrew Judd and several postgraduate research students will also contribute to the discussions.</p>

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