Cultural Safety

I really feel for you guys fighting your way through the process of registering to work in NZ. I'm a New Zealander trying to get back on the register and I'm amazed at the amount of hoops they expect you to jump through. Anyway ... I thought it might help to give you a bit of background on The Treaty and cultural safety (a rather strange term that has been around for several years now). Note - I have no idea exactly what the 'right' answers are, but thought my experience as a born-and-bred kiwi might help. In practice, once you get here, you will find it is no big deal. Just be sensitive and respectful of people with cultures different from your own, as you would anywhere.

The Treaty of Waitangi is (some say) the founding document of New Zealand - a treaty between Maori and the Crown that the land belonged to Maori (unless they decided to sell it) but that they would be British subjects with the care and protection of the Queen - but that is debated. Maori sovereignty has become a hot topic in the past 20 or so years. Maori point out their ancestors were here first. NZ today is not just bicultural but multicultural (large influx of Asians and Pacific Islanders, especially in the north,) but having been done over by colonisation Maori are still fighting for their own rights and self-determination aren't ready to include other cultures in the mix. A certain amount of antagonism and racism exists between Maori and Pakeha in some areas, but it's not widespread.
About cultural sensitivity - there are a few rules of thumb for what not to do when treating Maori. They keep saying cultural safety is more than just a checklist, but it's still a good start.

The main things are:
1. Don't touch anyone's head unless there's a therapeutic reason (it;s sacred)
2. Don't sit on tables or anywhere that food is prepared
3. Be sensitive around eye contact. Too much can be thought challenging or rude, especially if you're younger than the other person. If a Maori (or especially Pacific Islander) doesn't meet your eye it might be out of respect or shyness rather than disrespect.

I copied this off a Plunket website (Plunket's an NZ organisation set up to help mothers and babies).
Guidelines for tauiwi (non-Maori) for safe behavior with MaoriThe following are simple processes which if followed will enhance relationships with Maori and contribute to respecting their value and identity.

Greetings
In principle it is respectful to greet Maori in the Maori language i.e. Kia ora (greetings), Tena koe (greetings), Morena (Good morning), Ata marie (good morning), Po marie (good afternoon). If you know the name of the person you are greeting add their name. If the Maori person replies in English (or looks disapproving.) take the lead from them and do not persist in using the Maori greeting or Te Reo.

Visiting Maori homes
When visiting a Maori home, meeting place (Marae) or service, remove your shoes at the door.
Take guidance from clients as to where to go to talk with them, which room to use, which chair to sit in and where to examine the baby or child. Do not sit on tables.
Do not comment negatively on the home or surrounds.
Always encourage Whanau participation in consultation and decision making.
Do not wash hands over the kitchen sink.
Dress
Dress should be neat and tidy. It should not expose a lot of flesh.
Trousers are acceptable except when being formally welcomed onto a Marae when women should wear a long dark coloured skirt.
Communication
When communicating with families, clear and simple communication is best but do not patronise. Avoid the use of jargon. Check that the family/Whanau understand the information shared and its relevance.
Observe the body language of the family/Whanau - this may tell you more about the response than what is said.
Ask if you fear you have offended.
If the client or their whanau uses Te Reo, and you are comfortable with using kupu, it is acceptable to use Maori terminology (refer to the back page of kupu in the client’s records).
Eye contact – It is usual when meeting for the first time to avoid direct eye contact. This is often considered impolite, so looking away does not indicate disinterest which it may do in other cultures.

Kai (food)

Kai has a special significance for Maori. It is strongly associated with hospitality and acceptance.

If you are offered food accept it graciously. (If you are diabetic etc. then tell the family/Whanau)
When being visited by Maori (particularly for a meeting or formal occasion) it is important to provide food (this is not necessary in a clinic setting).
Respect for baby’s body
In Maori culture the head is Tapu (sacred) and it may not be appropriate for you to touch it. Take guidance from the mother when examining the children.
Discuss the reason for examining the baby’s head.
If the baby is lying on the floor don’t step over him or her - it shows disrespect.
Do not change the baby on the dining table; sink bench or anywhere where food is likely to be placed.
The umbilicus (pito) is also Tapu. Respect family/Whanau values for care of the umbilicus.