NCNZ Cultural Safety and Te Tiriti 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How should a NZ nurse apply the concept of hauora (wellbeing) in their practice?
- By taking a holistic approach that considers spiritual, mental, physical, and family wellbeing — not just the presenting illness (Correct answer)
- By prescribing traditional Māori remedies alongside Western medicine
- By referring all Māori patients to Māori health providers
- By documenting the patient's iwi affiliation in all clinical notes
Correct answer: By taking a holistic approach that considers spiritual, mental, physical, and family wellbeing — not just the presenting illness
Hauora encompasses holistic wellbeing across all dimensions of health. NZ nurses should apply this by assessing and addressing not just the physical presenting condition but also the patient's spiritual, mental/emotional, and family wellbeing.
Question 2: What is the NZ nursing expectation regarding self-reflection on cultural bias?
- Nurses must regularly examine their own cultural attitudes, beliefs, and biases and how these affect their practice (Correct answer)
- Cultural self-reflection is only required during initial training
- Only nurses from minority cultures need to self-reflect
- Self-reflection is encouraged but not assessed
Correct answer: Nurses must regularly examine their own cultural attitudes, beliefs, and biases and how these affect their practice
NCNZ expects all nurses to engage in ongoing self-reflection about their own cultural identity, values, biases, and how these influence their interactions with patients. This is a core component of cultural safety competence.
Question 3: What does the NCNZ competency framework say about addressing Māori health inequities?
- Nurses must actively work to reduce health disparities experienced by Māori through culturally safe practice and advocacy (Correct answer)
- Addressing health inequities is the government's job, not individual nurses'
- Only Māori nurses are responsible for Māori health outcomes
- The competency framework does not mention health inequities
Correct answer: Nurses must actively work to reduce health disparities experienced by Māori through culturally safe practice and advocacy
The NCNZ competency framework requires all nurses to understand and actively work to address the health inequities experienced by Māori. This includes culturally safe practice, advocacy, and supporting access to appropriate services.
Question 4: In NZ nursing, what is the appropriate approach when a Māori patient requests karakia (prayer) before a procedure?
- Respect and facilitate the request — allow time and space for karakia as part of culturally safe care (Correct answer)
- Politely decline as religious practices have no place in clinical settings
- Allow it only if it does not delay the procedure
- Refer the patient to the hospital chaplain instead
Correct answer: Respect and facilitate the request — allow time and space for karakia as part of culturally safe care
Culturally safe nursing practice in NZ requires respecting and facilitating spiritual practices such as karakia. The nurse should allow appropriate time and space and, where possible, involve whānau in the process.
Question 5: What is tikanga Māori and why should NZ nurses understand it?
- Māori customs and protocols — understanding tikanga enables nurses to provide respectful, culturally safe care (Correct answer)
- A Māori language proficiency test for health professionals
- A type of traditional Māori medicine practice
- The Māori name for the nursing registration process
Correct answer: Māori customs and protocols — understanding tikanga enables nurses to provide respectful, culturally safe care
Tikanga Māori refers to Māori customs, values, and protocols that guide behaviour and practice. NZ nurses should understand basic tikanga (such as around food, tapu/noa, tangihanga) to provide respectful and culturally safe care.
Question 6: How does the NCNZ expect nurses to respond to Pacific peoples' health needs in New Zealand?
- By recognising the diversity of Pacific cultures and applying culturally safe practices that respect Pacific values and family structures (Correct answer)
- By treating Pacific patients identically to all other patients with no cultural consideration
- By referring all Pacific patients to Pacific health providers
- Pacific health is not addressed in NCNZ competencies
Correct answer: By recognising the diversity of Pacific cultures and applying culturally safe practices that respect Pacific values and family structures
NCNZ expects nurses to recognise the diversity of Pacific peoples and cultures in NZ and to apply culturally safe practices that respect Pacific values, including the importance of family (aiga), spirituality, and communal decision-making in health care.
NCNZ Cultural Safety and Te Tiriti 2
How should a NZ nurse apply the concept of hauora (wellbeing) in their practice?