Mayor Bob Harvey Congratulates the People's Inquiry

  

Hana Blackmore the Convenor receives the Seal of Waitemata City

  

Day Two of the Hearings

Another day of extraordinary revelations from local residents, as well as from a panel of 5 Phds, scientists with intimate knowledge of MAFs aerial spraying campaign. These scientists have expertise in risk-assessment, forestry & biosecurity,epidemiology,entymology, medicine and environmental health. Their testimony before the Commissioners was highly critical of the incompetent delays in controlling the initial incursion of the Painted Apple Moth, and the disfunctional decision making process which lead to the blanket aerial spraying of 200,000 people over two years.
" The incompetent actions of MAF have caused unnecessary burden on the people of West Auckland, wasting $62 million of public money.They need to make apology for this." concluded one scientist.

Day One of the Hearings at the Waitakere Council Chambers

The Hearings were opened by a karakia from Papa Fred, the kaumatua guiding the People's Inquiry. A City Counciller Penny Hulse warmly welcomed everybody on behalf of the Waitakere City Council, who have shown their support for the hearings by offering the use of the Council chambers. She spoke about the importance of the truth and reconciliation that the People's Inquiry may help to move all of us forward out of a very difficult time, living under the two years of constant aerial spraying.

Hana Blackmore opened the inquiry and called the names of 5 people who had died, who believed that the aerial spray had been the cause of their illnesses. A minutes silence was observed in their memory.

Today the Commissioners, international observers and local people listened to testimony about devastating health, social and economic impacts of the 2 years of aerial spraying, on good honest hard working tax paying local residents,whose trust and faith in the good will of the government had been shattered. All the submissions are being videod and recorded to contribute to record of what really happened. Many of us there were staggered by the stories of extreme health impacts and the severe social, family, work and educational disruptions to people's lives.

Each of the commissioners explored the issues of medical facts surrounding the health effects, how the health institutions communicated with and treated those impacted by the sprays, and the social,economic and psychological impacts of the spraying blitz. Descriptions were recounted in detail of the depth of trauma and stress from having one's normal life turned into one of an "evacuee".

Tomorrow 5 PhD scientists will be giving evidence.

Powhiri and Welcome for the Peoples Inquiry

On the evening of the Autumn Equinox, the Peoples Inquiry organisers and international guests were warmly welcomed  at Te Piringatahi O Te Maungarongo Marae in Massey, Waitakere City.Observers and Commissioners came from Aotearoa/NZ, UAS, Phillipines, Malaysia and India.

Diary of the Peoples Inquiry into Aerial Spraying of West Auckland, NZ

This inquiry has been in the planning ever since the aerial spraying of West Auckland, New Zealand finished in 2004. A team of people have worked to create this community run enquiry. For all background information, on the issues, the purpose of the Inquiry, the Commissioners who will hear the peoples stories, go to
www.peoplesinquiry.co.nz
This blog will be a pictorial record what is going to be an extraordinary week.