NCNZ Cultural Safety & Māori Health in Nursing — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Nursing Council of NZ competencies, which domain specifically addresses Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities?
- Domain 4: Interprofessional Healthcare and Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Correct answer)
- Domain 1: Professional Responsibility
- Domain 2: Management of Nursing Care
- Domain 3: Interpersonal Relationships
Correct answer: Domain 4: Interprofessional Healthcare and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Domain 4 of the NCNZ Competencies requires nurses to demonstrate understanding of and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, work collaboratively with Māori health workers, and contribute to reducing health disparities for Māori.
Question 2: A Māori patient is admitted to hospital and mentions she follows te reo Māori as her first language. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
- Arrange a professional interpreter with Māori language competency and communicate in the patient's preferred language as much as possible (Correct answer)
- Inform the patient that English is the language of the hospital
- Ask a Māori colleague to help informally without patient consent
- Document that the patient speaks Māori and take no further action
Correct answer: Arrange a professional interpreter with Māori language competency and communicate in the patient's preferred language as much as possible
Providing care in a patient's preferred language is a component of culturally safe practice and is supported by the NZ Code of Rights (Right 5 — right to information in a manner the patient understands). A trained interpreter should be arranged.
Question 3: The Hui Process is a model developed for consultations with Māori patients. What does the first phase (Mihimihi/Whakawhanuangatanga) emphasise?
- Establishing rapport and relationship before clinical agenda — greeting, introductions, acknowledging identity (Correct answer)
- Conducting the clinical assessment immediately
- Discussing the treatment plan
- Obtaining informed consent
Correct answer: Establishing rapport and relationship before clinical agenda — greeting, introductions, acknowledging identity
The Hui Process begins with mihimihi (greeting and acknowledgement of identity) before any clinical business. This reflects the Māori value of whanaungatanga — building relationship and trust first, which improves engagement and health outcomes.
Question 4: A nurse caring for a Māori patient notes that the patient appears withdrawn and avoids eye contact. What is the most appropriate interpretation?
- In some Māori contexts, avoiding eye contact with authority figures may be a sign of respect, not disengagement — the nurse should not assume disinterest (Correct answer)
- The patient is uncooperative and should be referred to social work
- The patient has depression and should be screened immediately
- The patient does not understand what is happening and needs an interpreter
Correct answer: In some Māori contexts, avoiding eye contact with authority figures may be a sign of respect, not disengagement — the nurse should not assume disinterest
Cultural safety requires nurses to avoid imposing Western cultural norms (where eye contact signals engagement) onto Māori patients. In some Māori cultural contexts, avoiding direct eye contact with authority figures is a sign of respect, not disengagement or distress.
Question 5: Which of the following health outcomes demonstrates Māori health inequity in New Zealand?
- Māori are approximately 2–3 times more likely to be hospitalised for ambulatory-sensitive conditions than non-Māori (Correct answer)
- Māori have lower rates of type 2 diabetes than non-Māori
- Māori children have lower rates of respiratory illness than non-Māori children
- Māori have equivalent cancer survival rates to non-Māori
Correct answer: Māori are approximately 2–3 times more likely to be hospitalised for ambulatory-sensitive conditions than non-Māori
Ambulatory-sensitive hospitalisations (ASH) — preventable with good primary care — are significantly higher for Māori, reflecting barriers to accessing timely primary care. This is a direct indicator of health system inequity, not just disease burden.
Question 6: What is the role of a Māori health advocate (kaiāwhina) in supporting a Māori patient in hospital?
- Provide cultural support, assist navigation of health services, facilitate whānau communication, and advocate for the patient's cultural needs (Correct answer)
- Provide nursing care under delegation from an RN
- Interpret clinical information from a medical perspective
- Manage the patient's medications and treatment plan
Correct answer: Provide cultural support, assist navigation of health services, facilitate whānau communication, and advocate for the patient's cultural needs
Kaiāwhina are trained Māori health workers who provide cultural and social support, help whānau navigate the health system, and advocate for patients' cultural needs. They do not provide clinical nursing care but are integral to holistic care of Māori patients.
NCNZ Cultural Safety & Māori Health in Nursing
Under the Nursing Council of NZ competencies, which domain specifically addresses Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities?