Kiritapu Allan
Words by Lucy Schrader Manuera (She/her - Te Aupōuri)
Many of you may have heard of Kiritapu Allan's accident, which led to her resignation, and further statement to not seek re-election in the upcoming election. Honourable Kiri Allan, East Coast MP, Minister of Regional Development and Justice Minister, has been in the political sphere since 2017 when elected through the Labour Party list.
The break of this news story prompted further discussions around Mental Health. Many politicians have previously spoken about the negative Mental Health effects of working as a politician. However, many articles haven't referred to the pressure Māori have, to be representative in a Pākehā built institution. Allan, having undergone Cancer treatment, representing the Coast through cyclone damage and recovery, and other personal circumstances, had been in the public eye a multitude of times. However, the treatment that Kiri has faced through the media has been relentless. Media publications like the Guardian posted articles named "The downfall of Kiri Allan: New Zealand wrestles with mental health debate". There is a clear emphasis on brutal criticism when politicians make mistakes. Their personal lives and job responsibilities are intertwined. Therefore criticism comes from all angles from the public and media.
"I've found what has gone on over the last few days really distressing for her," said Todd Muller, a National party lawmaker, on Monday. Muller quit as leader of his party in 2020 after 53 days in the job, later explaining he had experienced panic attacks – a revelation that was praised on both sides of the aisle. Chloë Swarbrick, of the Green party – who has spoken publicly about having depression and ADHD – cited multiple reviews of parliament's culture that had concluded the "environment doesn't get the best out of people". Unfortunately, the media has clouded the accomplishments that Allan has achieved while in her role. If you are in need of any support, feel free to contact Youthline at 0800 37 66 33, for a chat. Or a specialist kaupapa Māori mental health service, Te Haika, 0800 300 184.
***
Kua rongo te motu mō te aituā i pā ki a Kiritapu Allan, nā whai anō tōnā rihainatanga, me te korenga ōna e whai anō i te tūru tōrangapū. Ko Kiri Allan, te Mema Pāremata mō Te Tairāwhiti, te minita mō te Manatū Ture, me te minita mō te manatū whakawhanake rohe. Nō te tau 2017 ia whakatau ai ki te ao tōrangapū, ki tā te Paati Reipa taha. Nā tēnei aitua, i pupū ake ngā kōrero mō te hauora hinengaro. Tokomaha ngā kaitōrangapū kua kōrero kē mō te tāmitanga o te hauora hinengaro i te ao tōrangapu. Engari, kāore e kōrerotia ngā tāmitanga ka pā ki te Māori e tū ana hei māngai i roto i tētahi whare Pākehā. Kua rongonui a Allan. Mai i tōnā whakamātūtū i te mate pukupuku, ki tōnā hāpai i ngā hāpori o Te Tai Rāwhiti i kahakina e ngā haumātakataka, kua roa a Allan e noho ana ki te aronga o te marea. Heoi, kua kino te āwai atu o te hunga pāpāho ki a ia. Hei tauira, ko tā Guardian hei whakatairanga i te aituā nei, “The downfall of Kiri Allan: New Zealand wrestles with mental health debate". Mārama ana te kite, e whakatauira ana tēnei i te momo hahani ka whiua ki te kaitōrangapū i te wā ka hapa rātou. Ka whakaranutia ō rātou āo o te kainga, me te āo mahi. Nō reira ko ngā hahani ka tau mai i ngā anga katoa, mai i te marea me ngā kaipāpāhō.
"I've found what has gone on over the last few days really distressing for her," tā Todd Muller, he kaihanga ture mō te Paati Nahinara. I te tau 2020 i whakarerea e ia tōna tūranga kaiārahi, 53 rā noa iho te roa ki tērā tūranga, ā, nā wai rā ka puta tōnā whakamārama, nā te anipā i pā ki a ia. I mihia tōnā whakamārama e ngā pāti katoa o te Paremata. Ko Chloe Swarbrick, he wahine toa o te Paati Kākariki - kua kōrero ia mō ōna wā o te mate pāpōuri, o te aroreretini hoki. I whakararangihia e ia te nui o ngā arotake mo te ahurea me te whakatau “the environment doesn’t get the best out of people.” Ko te mate nui, kua whakatuturi ngā kaipāpāhō ki ngā painga i whakatutuki e Allan i te wā he minita ia. Mehemea me whai tautoko koe, tēnā waea ki Youthline ki 0800 37 66 33, kōrero ai. Ki Te Haika rānei, he kaupapa hauora hinengaro Māori, ki 0800 300 184.