The AIDS Foundation held a series of nationwide community forums for gay and bisexual men late last month, and next Saturday’s hui for takatāpui tāne has been organised in response to requests made by some Maori men who attended those forums.
“Takatāpui tāne have asked for an opportunity to discuss Maori-specific issues in relation to the HIV increase,” says NZAF Tumuwhakahaere, Te Herekiekie Herewini. “This hui will be a great opportunity to get some of these issues out in the open.”
HIV infections among men who have sex with men have been increasing significantly each year since 2003. 89 new HIV infections among men who have sex with men were diagnosed in 2005, the highest number ever recorded in a single year in New Zealand. 14% of those diagnoses were among Maori.
The hui will include a presentation from AIDS Foundation research staff on the latest HIV statistics, and the Hau Ora Takatāpui team will present an overview of its recent health promotion initiatives.
Most importantly, the hui will provide an opportunity for takatāpui tāne to engage with the AIDS Foundation in an open Q&A on its initiatives for Maori men who have sex with men, and to provide feedback on how the HIV epidemic can be turned around.
“This will be the first hui specifically for takatāpui tāne that the AIDS Foundation has held,” says Eriata Peri, Hau Ora Takatāpui Team Leader. “We’ve invited men from around the country to attend, and we’re expecting good numbers.”
The hui will be held 10am-2pm on Saturday July 15 at the New Zealand AIDS Foundation National Office, 31-35 Hargreaves St, College Hill, Ponsonby in Auckland.
