Cultural Safety & Māori Health in Nursing Flashcards

Under the Nursing Council of NZ competencies, which domain specifically addresses Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities?

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.

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?

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.

The Hui Process is a model developed for consultations with Māori patients. What does the first phase (Mihimihi/Whakawhanuangatanga) emphasise?

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.

A nurse caring for a Māori patient notes that the patient appears withdrawn and avoids eye contact. What is the most appropriate interpretation?

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.

Which of the following health outcomes demonstrates Māori health inequity in New Zealand?

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.

What is the role of a Māori health advocate (kaiāwhina) in supporting a Māori patient in hospital?

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.