Introducing Kawa Whakaruruhau – our cultural safety policy
We’ve launched a new policy for providers, Kawa Whakaruruhau (Cultural Safety). It’s focused on delivering culturally appropriate care and is part of our commitment to creating a more equitable ACC for Māori that is inclusive for all New Zealanders.
Developed in consultation with the sector, Kawa Whakaruruhau aligns with current approaches to cultural safety.
It seeks to support a meaningful and sustainable advancement towards cultural safety across New Zealand health services, with a particular focus on the delivery of culturally appropriate care to Māori as Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi partners.
“We want our kiritaki (clients) and whānau to be welcomed into culturally safe environments where they receive appropriate and equitable healthcare,” says Tane Cassidy (Ngāpuhi), ACC’s Deputy Chief Executive Prevention and Partnerships.
“We want to improve the experiences and health outcomes of Māori across all our services. If whānau don’t feel culturally safe when engaging with services, they’re less likely to seek support from us or the wider health sector.”
The policy applies to all providers and suppliers of ACC-funded services.
Please read the policy to familiarise yourself with our expectations.
ACC - Kawa Whakaruruhau (Cultural Safety) Policy
Need support?
Our Māori cultural competency guidance, Te Whānau Māori me ō mahi, is designed as a companion document to support providers and suppliers in applying this policy.
More resources, including FAQs, are available on our website.
Cultural safety and competencies
Want to learn more?
We’ll be hosting two webinars on 31 May for providers and suppliers to learn more about the policy and ask pātai (questions).
The lunchtime and evening sessions will be hosted by cultural competency expert Dr Peter Jansen, alongside Māori Health Lead Kylie Bryant.
To register please visit our Watch and learn webinar page.
