Partnering with Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora to deliver Pacific Cultural Intelligence workshops

In February, members of our Equity Group partnered with Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty to deliver Pacific Cultural Intelligence workshops for staff.

The workshops aimed to increase awareness of and understanding about Pacific peoples and what equity for Pacific peoples looks like in health care, and increase the number of people championing this work in the region.

The workshops were attended by around 50 staff from a range of roles, including clinical nurse specialists, doctors, clinical social workers, audit leads, clinical psychologists and consumer advisory group members, among others.

One of the workshop groups in Bay of Plenty

The workshops followed a falanoa methodology, which creates a culturally safe and lively space for learning grounded in equity, creating shared visions and co-creating ako (knowledge). Workshop participants learned foundational knowledge about who Pacific peoples are, Pacific demographics and equity trends, and Pacific models for engagement and care.

Workshop participant and Person Centred Experience and Engagement Lead, Pritika Nand acknowledged the contribution of the Equity Group, saying, ‘We are thankful to Te Tāhū Hauora for enabling this Pacific mahi to take place in the Bay of Plenty. We look forward to working with the Equity Group to build on this workshop and continue to create awareness for our Pacific communities.’

The Equity Group is excited to have had the opportunity to teu le vā (respect, nurture and maintain relationships) with Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty to help them begin the journey to achieve equity with and for Pacific families and communities.