Consultation on the National Ethics Advisory Committee’s (NEAC) – Kāhui Matatika o te Motu – updated Ethical Guidance for a Pandemic is set to end in two weeks, the Ministry of Health advised today.
Committee Chair, Professor John McMillan said the updated guidance aimed to help protect all New Zealanders, particularly vulnerable communities.
“The principles in this set of guidance give us a shared basis for decision-making. The Government can prepare by investing in our health system and by connecting more strongly with the social infrastructure that exists in our diverse communities,” said Professor McMillan.
“Māori and other communities have a history of resilience, and in this updated guidance, we seek to support these strengths through a call for equity and by fostering community participation.”
The guidance sets out six ethical principles which are interconnected – health and wellbeing, equity, kotahitanga, tika, manaakitanga and liberty.
Professor McMillan says businesses, iwi, community groups, households and individuals must play a part, as we are all critical in the success of any pandemic response.
“NEAC wants to know if the guidance ideas are shared ideas based on shared values. Contributions from all voices, individuals, communities and organisations are welcomed and encouraged.”
“If we base our choices on agreed principles and make our decisions with good will and reasonable judgement, we can expect to get through a pandemic, together. As the whakataukī states ‘He waka eke noa’ – in the pandemic, we truly will be all in it together,” he said.
The consultation period runs until 20 September.
