A debate has emerged in the Māori community about the tikanga of euthanasia.
The End of Life Choice Bill passed its third reading this week, but not without intense debate, including about tikanga. Whangarei MP Shane Reti said he opposed the Bill, both as as a doctor and a Māori.
He singled out many of the Māori Labour MPs, who supported the Bill, asking them what their Māori heart says. Tāmaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare responded by saying that historically, Māori had ways of speeding up the process of death if a disease or sickness was incurable.
He says the tikanga is mana motuhake - Māori being to make the decision which is right for them. And list MP Willie Jackson told Parliament tikanga evolves and there is no one tikanga.
Tairāwhiti anglican priest Reverend Chris Huriwai opposes the Bill and says euthanasia doesn't fit with the Māori worldview of death.
But he agrees with Mr Jackson there is not a single Māori view.
