Paul Jamieson

I would like to respond to Sandy Milne’s letter in Wednesday’s Beacon, Apathy is the enemy of our women getting a fair go.

Oh Sandy; your letter started so positively. You clearly have significant experience, knowledge and connection to the world of medicine. I applaud your recent efforts in advocating for our hospital – I know it can be a frustrating task and you truly go above and beyond for our community. So, thank you.

But you should’ve stopped there.

Freedom of speech works both ways and I think it is appropriate to hold well intentioned people to account and perhaps educate others at the same time.  

Your comments around Mātauranga Māori treated the values of one culture as being better than another.  

You may be of the opinion that modern science is superior to Mātauranga Māori, but that is irrelevant. Every person of every culture deserves the right to live to their own values and have those reflected in the local and central Government policy of the place where they live. That is a basic human right.  

It seems that those currently “leading” us have forgotten this as well, so I hope this letter helps remind those who are following their example.