SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) currently has one active working group – the Special Interest Group on Institutional Racism (STIR).

Formed in 2013, STIR: Stop Institutional Racism is a nationwide network of public health professionals and activist scholars committed to ending institutional racism within the administration of the public health sector.

STIR strives to remove barriers to indigenous well-being in Aotearoa New Zealand. They aim to do this by mobilising allies, engaging in decolonisation, influencing policy, monitoring government performance, re-energising conversations around working with te Tiriti o Waitangi, strengthening the evidence base about sites of racism and anti-racism praxis, and generally stirring.

Previously, STIR has hosted a symposium, written and critiqued policy, conducted research studies, written papers and a book, hosted master classes and presented at the United Nations. They have built a boutique social movement and completed media outreach, gaining over 250 associates through their social media outreach.

The current membership for STIR includes Trevor Simpson (co-chair), Dr Heather Came (co-chair), Dr Claire Doole, Professor Tim McCreanor, Dr Maria Baker, Kate Matheson, Ngaire Rae, Lisa McNab, Dr Nicole Coupe, Leah Bain, Mikey Brenndorfer and Dr Rose Black.