Healthcare Crisis Drives Cross-Country Protest: Hīkoi for Health Set to Begin

In an exciting blend of art and advocacy, the Hīkoi for Health: A People’s Inquiry is set to kick off in just over a week! This significant reform initiative has been spearheaded by award-winning doctor-poets Glenn Colquhoun, a GP focused on youth health, and Art Nahill, a general hospital physician. Collaborating with renowned New Zealand artist Nigel Brown, they have transformed a second-hand van into an eye-catching mobile artwork—a unique ambulance that will serve as a catalyst for change.

Those interested in supporting their efforts can find their latest itinerary on their website healthrefornz.org or on social media #hikoiforhealth.

The Hīkoi will journey from Kaitaia in Northland to Parliament, collecting healthcare stories and ideas for reform from communities along its route. This initiative arises from Colquhoun and Nahill's deep concerns about New Zealand’s failing health system, which has been neglected by successive governments and has experienced unprecedented pressure on emergency departments, growing waiting lists, and difficulty accessing GP care.

As Nahill states, "This journey is not merely a protest but an opportunity to foster positive momentum for the reform our health system requires. We can’t wait for governments to 'see the light' — we need to shine our passion and ideas so brightly they can’t turn away."

Colquhoun emphasizes, "Our health system has a mauri—a life force. Protecting this is at the heart of health. I'm angry that it seems so utterly unappreciated by those who are charged with looking after it. I’m compelled to preserve this mauri."

Nigel Brown's distinctive artwork envelops the ambulance with imagery that captures the urgency of the current healthcare landscape. "This van work is designed to be both joy and gloom, allowing audiences to relate it to their personal experiences," explains Brown.

Equipped with a recording studio inside, the ambulance will engage communities in critical dialogues about the future of healthcare in Aotearoa. These conversations aim for fundamental reform—a health system equitable to all New Zealanders, free from political squabbling.

As the ambulance travels through various cities and towns in the North Island, it will initiate vital discussions and gather stories, culminating in a presentation at Parliament grounds on May 8^th.

Background Information:

• The Hīkoi for Health will commence shortly and conclude at Parliament in May.
• Communities can register to share their healthcare stories at: healthreformnz.org
• New Zealand's healthcare system faces unprecedented challenges, with growing waiting lists and emergency department pressures.
• Nigel Brown is one of New Zealand's most respected artists, known for engaging with social and environmental issues.

About the Organisers:
Art Nahill is a Harvard-trained physician and award-winning clinical teacher and poet whose career spans nearly thirty years. A former correspondent for the Boston Globe, he has published numerous articles advocating for healthcare reform in New Zealand.

Glenn Colquhoun is a poet and children’s writer whose works have received multiple awards. He is a dedicated GP working in youth health, and his writing explores the intersections of medicine and humanity.

Hīkoi for Health Declares Band-Aid Day on May 8th to Highlight Healthcare Crisis

As part of the Hīkoi for Health: A People’s Inquiry, we are thrilled to announce the declaration of May 8th as Band-Aid Day! On this significant day, coinciding with the arrival of our mobile artwork ambulance at Parliament grounds and our final hui, we invite all New Zealanders to show their support for urgent healthcare reform by wearing a bandage or plaster prominently.

The concept of Band-Aid Day serves as a poignant symbol of the government's approach to the ongoing healthcare crisis. Much like a plaster that merely covers a wound without addressing the underlying issue, we must acknowledge that the current government responses to our healthcare challenges are insufficient. Our goal is to spark a nationwide conversation about the need for meaningful and systemic change to create a high-quality, accessible, and equitable health system for all.

As we approach Band-Aid Day, we urge individuals, iwi, hapu, whānau, organizations, and businesses to join us in making a visible statement about the pressing need for comprehensive healthcare reform. Wearing a bandage will serve as a reminder of the inadequacies of quick fixes and rally support for a health system that truly meets the needs of all New Zealanders.

Dr. Art Nahill, one of the Hīkoi organisers, emphasizes, "Band-Aid Day is more than just a symbolic gesture; it’s a call to action. We want to encourage people to engage in the conversation about the future of our healthcare system. We cannot afford to settle for superficial solutions. It’s time to demand real change."

In addition to wearing a bandage, we invite everyone to attend one of our hui (itinerary available at healthreformnz.org) or share their healthcare stories and ideas for reform on our website. Together, we can amplify our voices and advocate for a healthcare system that values the well-being of all individuals.

Join us in wearing a bandage or plaster on May 8th as we gather at Parliament to present the collective stories and push for the reform our health system critically needs. Let’s make sure our message of urgency and hope is impossible to ignore!