Called Te Aka Whai Ora in Christopher Luxon, the Māori Health Authority was set up in 2022 to improve healthcare among Indigenous tribes, who suffer from significant inequalities compared to the rest of the population. The government, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who took office in October, claims to want to work for all New Zealand citizens, "Māori and non-Māori". But indigenous people have been protesting for months against the changes proposed by the new administration.
The final death toll in the latest outbreak of violence in the region is still unknown. Bodies are removed by the lorryload. The worst incident in recent years raises concerns with the escalation linked to inter-tribal conflict over land and resources, but also a great inflow of firearms.
Today's news: Indian-made drones also in the Israeli offensive on Gaza; China will have a surplus of nearly 2 million teachers in 2035 due to population decline; Motion of no confidence in PM Marape in Papua New Guinea; Online summit between the US and Central Asian countries on the race for raw materials.
Today's news: Fugitives and defectors to Bangladesh increase among Myanmar border guards who report losing contact with commanders; Escalation between the Philippines and China continues in the South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal; Qatar wins the Asian football cup for the second time in a row; In Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliev is re-elected president for the fifth time with a 'Bulgarian majority'.
The death toll from the 10 January unrest has risen to 22 people. The country faces socio-economic collapse. For Fr Giorgio Licini, Secretary General of the Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea, “The common citizens, the Churches, the State, and the government are equally responsible.”
The Pacific archipelago is one of only 12 countries in the world to diplomatically recognise Taiwan and is now caught in the middle of the growing rivalry between the US and China.
