AEGiS-BKREV: Intimate Details and Vital Statistics: AIDS, Sexuality and the Social Order in New Zealand

Intimate Details and Vital Statistics: AIDS, Sexuality and the Social Order in New Zealand

Auckland University Press/Paul & Co., PO Box 442, Concord, MA 01742. 1996. 234p., bibliog., index. ISBN 1-86940-139-5. $24.95.
edited by Peter Davis. (Contributors: John Broughton, Penny Brander, John Carter, Jane Chetwynd, Peter Davis, Nigel Dickson, Philippa Howden-Chapman, Orly Jacobson, Robert Kemp, Roy Lay Yee, Bronwen Lichtenstein, Warren Lindberg, Judith McMorland, Valerie Norton, Julie Park, Ron Paterson, Charlotte Paul, Kathryn Scott, Austen Woods, Heather Worth)

It has been a little over 10 years since the first case of AIDS was confirmed in New Zealand. Much has happened since that first case and a great deal has been learned. "The epidemic has produced a rich, varied, profound and complex social and political response that tells us as much about the changing character of New Zealand society as it does about the phenomenon of the disease itself." Studying these social and political responses is the theme of this book. The early response to AIDS was a period of latency in which gay activist were at the front. This was followed with a high level of mobilization in the gay community and a beginning of the government to become very involved. In the present period of the disease the observations are of "consolidation, if not stagnation, and evidence of official retrenchment." The book is intended to document the AIDS epidemic and its impact on New Zealand as a whole; assess the social and cultural response to the epidemic; present first hand accounts of the experiences of those groups most directly affected by the epidemic; and finally reflect on everything that has happened up to now.

After an introduction, "AIDS, sexuality and the social order in New Zealand," there are four chapters that look at the epidemic in retrospect: "HIV infection and AIDS in New Zealand: a public health report," "Softly, softly: New Zealand law responds to AIDS," "Conservatism and constancy?: New Zealand sexual culture in the era of AIDS," and "Creating icons of AIDS: the media and popular culture." The next four chapter discuss the social makeup of the affected groups: "Men who have sex with men: Sexual patterns in New Zealand," "From grassroots to business suits: The gay community response to AIDS," "Safe sex and parlour work: Condom use by women parlour workers in and out of work," and "The Prostitutes' Collective: A uniquely New Zealand institution." The next two chapters speak of injections and transfusions: "From a bang to a whimper: Policy responses to injecting drug use and viral infection" and "An intimate reliance: Health reform, viral infection and the safety of blood products."

The last two chapters are reflective: "He taru tawhiti: Maori people and HIV/AIDS" and "It could be me--it could be you: Women's experiences of HIV/AIDS in New Zealand. A final chapter speaks about viable partnerships. In order to properly organize and continue to fight AIDS there has to be a partnership among community groups, medical personnel, health agencies and officials, and the education sector. A very interesting book that speaks about issues that one would find in most other developed countries around the world. It is easy to read, well documented and recommended for all medical and academic libraries.

Keywords: New Zealand, Social Aspects, Sexuality, Gays, Maori People

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