The Treaty of Waitangi: A Healthcare Perspective

THE TREATY OF WAITANGI
A brief analysis in healthcare
perspective

INTRODUCTION
 Treaty is an agreement which was signed by the representatives of the Queen of
England and the leaders of most Maori Tribes.
 Treaty provides equal opportunity to all the people of Maori community.
 Cultural diversity is one of the biggest challenges in healthcare (Sujan, Habli, Kelly,
Pozzi & Johnson, 2016).
 Nurses in different healthcare organizations of New Zealand should also follow Treaty
to maintain the cultural safety.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
 The history of Treaty can be found more than1000 years back.
 It was occurred in the year 1840 (O’Malley & Kidman, 2018).
 The agreement was intended to protect all the rights of Maori community.
 When New Zealand celebrates the day of signing as national holiday, the settlement
of Waitangi is still the focus of the event (Bryers-Brown & Trundle, 2017).

IMPORTANCE
 The Treaty governs the relationship between the indigenous and the non-indigenous
people.
 It ensures the rights of Maori and Pakeha are protected.
 Treaty accepts that the Maori have the right to organize themselves and to protect
their way of life too.
 It also establishes the principle of equality and ensures all the people of New
Zealand are equal under law (Anaya, 2015).

VERSION OF TREATY
 Treaty can be found in two versions, English and Maori.
 The first article in English version gives right to the queen to rule over New
Zealand (Came, Cornes & McCreanor, 2018).
 The first article in Maori version of Treaty gives the right to the crown to
“Kawanatanga” (Came, Cornes & McCreanor, 2018).
 The second article in Maori version states that Maori people should have control
over their land (Came, Cornes & McCreanor, 2018).
 The second article in English version states that Maoris can sell their land only
to the queen (Came, Cornes & McCreanor, 2018).

RESPONSIBILITIES OF NURSES IN RELATION
TO TREATY OF WAITANGI
 It is quite natural that nurses face cultural diversity while providing care to variety of
people (Armmer, 2017).
 According to Treaty principle, Maori community has equal right in participating while
making decision in healthcare and nurse plays an important role in protecting their
health and right with equity according to the principles of Treaty (Foxall, Forrest &
Meyer, 2017).
 As per the norms of HPCA Act 2003, Nursing council of New Zealand should train
nurses with skills to monitor the principles of providing care (Stark & Fickel, 2015).