Did New Zealand’s new alcohol legislation achieve its object of facilitating public input? Qualitative study of Māori communities

Abstract

Background and Aims. The Treaty of Waitangi stipulates equality between M aori and non-M aori, yet M aori continue to have substantially poorer health, a driver of which is alcohol-related morbidity. In 2012, the New Zealand government introduced legislation claiming it would facilitate community input on decisions about alcohol. We investigated the experience of M aori communities with the new law. Design and Methods. We obtained submissions made to local governments and invited a diverse range of submitters from iwi (tribes), hap u (sub-tribes/clan groups) and M aori service providers, to participate in semi-structured interviews with M aori researchers. We used template analysis to develop hypotheses, and searched for disconfirmatory evidence within interview transcripts and recordings. Results. Participants had committed substantial human resources to write submissions informed by technical knowledge of liquor licensing and relevant research. They reported that local governments did not seem to engage meaningfully with the content of their submissions, and failed in many instances to update participants on how the consultation was progressing. Some observed that the alcohol industry had easier access to local politicians, and therefore expected outcomes to reflect industry interests. Discussion and Conclusions. In their response to M aori constituents on proposed alcohol policies, local governments were felt to lack the inclination or capacity to consult meaningfully. By devolving responsibility for alcohol availability while failing to compel and resource local government to give regard to treaty obligations, the new legislation risks widening existing health inequalities between M aori and non-M aori.[Kypri K, Maclennan B, Brausch S, Wyeth E, Connor J. Did New Zealand's new alcohol legislation achieve its object of facilitating public input? Qualitative study of M aori communities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2019;38: [331][332][333][334][335][336][337][338]

Māori perspectives on alcohol

“…Searches of other sources identified one report and one thesis for inclusion, equating to a total of eight studies eligible for inclusion (Table 1). Only one study specifically documented Māori engagement with alcohol interventions (Kypri et al, 2019). The remaining studies examined Māori perspectives on alcohol or alcohol-related harm (Herbert et al, 2018a(Herbert et al, , 2018bHutton & Wright, 2015;Lyons et al, 2014;J.…”

“…Only one study examined Māori perspectives on interventions. In this study the authors reported that Māori were interested in involvement with decisions on alcohol policy changes, and that local councils should alter their communication methods to better facilitate the involvement of Māori (Kypri et al, 2019).…”

“…This reiterates the importance of Māori involvement in the development of solutions for Māori. Research literature reported that Māori are keen to be involved with decisions regarding alcohol policies (Kypri et al, 2019). Safe alcohol use campaigns that prioritise Māori should be led by Māori, with Māori stakeholders and in partnership with Māori communities throughout the development, implementation and evaluation.…”

“…It was noted that there is a need to bring Māori communities and local councils closer together by improving communication channels and having greater representation of Māori organisations on council. The study authors found that for future local alcohol policy changes, earlier engagement between the councils and Māori stakeholders would be beneficial to allow Māori to have input at the policy development stage (Kypri et al, 2019).…”

“…But that used to last for days" (Herbert et al, 2017, p. 66). Kypri et al's (2019) study explored the experiences of iwi (tribe)-and hapū (subtribe)-based service providers who had made submissions on proposed changes to local alcohol policies within their communities. The study found that those based within these services had a high level of awareness of the call for submissions.…”