Walking in two worlds

It has been nearly quarter of a century since nursing educator Irihapeti Ramsden wrote the guidelines on cultural safety (Kawa Whakaruruhau), ratified in 1992 and subsequently much revised (most recently in 2011) by the Nursing Council. The Te Puna Hauora Kaupapa Nursing Service at Tauranga Hospital has been in existence for more than 18 years. Despite this, the experiences of Māori nurses described here, and the lack of adoption of truly bicultural nursing services in other parts of the country, indicate far more investment is needed in Māori nursing. What all those working in the health-care system need is the capacity to deliver whanaungatanga models of care, through cultural awareness education, and through the development of cultural competencies.