Kirsten Murfitt: “The Referendum Petition to Leave the WHO"

Rock The Vote NZ present Kirsten Murfitt on “The Citizen-Initiated Referendum Petition to Exit the WHO”.

Kirsten Murfitt is a lawyer based in Tauranga. She graduated from the University of Auckland in 1999, gaining her formative experience as a Barrister & Solicitor at two top-tier law firms in Auckland. After that, Kirsten worked in-house for a software development company and a manufacturing company. She moved back into private practice in 2011 and established KM Law in 2016. https://www.kmlaw.co.nz/

Kirsten stood up during the mandates and ended up running for Parliament in the 2023 NZ General Election. Since that time she has continued to work on her democracy work, and she is running the petition to gain 400,000 signatures from NZ voters to hold a Citizens-Initiated Referendum to decide whether New Zealand should leave the World Health Organization (WHO). She is also working with Erika Harvey and local politicians to expose some questionable deals under the former Commissioners at the Tauranga City Council.

Why Leave The WHO?
The WHO has faced criticism for its handling of major health crises, including allegations of a lack of transparency, conflicts of interest, and prioritising political considerations over scientific evidence. Concerns have also been raised about its “one-size-fits-all” approach, which may not always align with New Zealand’s unique needs and priorities.

By exiting the WHO, New Zealand can:

• Prioritise Kiwis' Health: Make decisions tailored to the health challenges and demographics specific to New Zealand, rather than adhering to policies designed for a global context.
• ‍Regain Decision-Making Independence: Ensure that public health policies are determined by New Zealanders for New Zealanders, without being influenced by international agendas or external donors with vested interests.
• ‍Promote Transparency and Accountability: Create a system that creates openness and accountability, ensuring decisions are based on evidence and what is best for New Zealand.

Exiting the WHO doesn’t mean abandoning global health collaboration. Instead, it provides an opportunity to establish partnerships and initiatives that better reflect New Zealand’s values and health priorities. This is about protecting our sovereignty and making health decisions that are right for us.

We will have petition forms available for you to sign at this event.

https://www.whoknows.co.nz/

Please arrive earlier to buy food or drinks before the event starts at 2pm. Horse & Trap do a fantastic Sunday Roast!

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