Recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

ANZCA is currently developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the college meets its responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Aotearoa/New Zealand’s founding document. 

This is an essential step in meeting our legal obligations under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, and addressing the outcomes from the recent Waitangi Tribunal claim known as Wai2575, brought by Māori against the Crown for the continuing health outcome disparities for Māori contributed to by failures in the health sector. Key drivers for the (very recently introduced) health services reforms primarily focus on reducing inequity, and improving health for all, but especially hauora Māori (Māori health).
 
As a priority, ANZCA has already committed to fulfilling the recently introduced requirements of the Medical Council of New Zealand to ensure that the curriculum and CPD activities we provide deliver excellent, culturally safe care and workplaces. Key documents that underpin medical professionals’ obligations to Te Tiriti are listed on the Medical Council of New Zealand website. These also led to the development of a Cultural Safety Training Framework by the Council of Medical Colleges (CMC).
 
Planning is underway to undertake a two to three-year project to address all requirements. It will take a co-design approach based on the principles of Te Tiriti to the development of the strategy, ensuring that the Māori Anaesthetist Network Aotearoa (MANA) will be involved at every stage of the process from setting the vision and values to creating priority actions similar to those found in the Reconciliaiton Action Plan that will bring the strategy to life.