Heather Came

Building political competencies for the transformation of racism in Aotearoa

Abstract In the face of enduring systemic racial disparities between Māori and non-Māori, we invite Pākehā health, education and social service professionals to review their ethical conduct and to enhance their political competencies to help transform racism. This paper examines how Pākehā became beneficiaries of racism and how libertarian discourses are used to distract attention away from the associated privileges. Based on experience in the anti-racism movement, we (the Pākehā authors) advocate for the grounding of Pākehā practitioners in a deeper understanding of colonial history. We invite closer attention to structural analysis as a means of gaining the understanding needed to strengthen political competence in order to avoid collusion with institutional racism. We make a case to develop co-intentional relationships with Māori through active whanaungatanga and the applications of the teachings of Freire as pathways for strengthened practice.

Health activism against barriers to indigenous health in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract Racism and government policies of colonisation and assimilation contribute to the disproportionate burden of disease carried by indigenous people globally. In colonial contexts such as Aotearoa New Zealand, these inequities are routinely monitored but governments believe economic growth and better lifestyles will resolve the issues. Stop Institutional Racism (STIR), a group of health activists, is challenging this dominant discourse and building a boutique social movement to transform racism within the New Zealand public health sector. Central to the work of STIR is partnership between indigenous and non-indigenous practitioners underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the founding document of the colonial state of New Zealand. This paper reflects on STIR organisational processes and political achievements to date. We have worked towards mobilising the public health sector, re-energising the conversation around racism and strengthening the capacity and evidence base of the sector around key sites of racism and anti-racism praxis. This paper will be of interest to others within the global public health community who are looking for new collective ways to organise and challenge entrenched inequities.

Doing research in Aotearoa: a Pākehā exemplar of applying Te Ara Tika ethical framework

Kaupapa Māori was once, and still is for some, ordinary in the context of Aotearoa. Active processes of colonisation and assimilation led by the settler government in New Zealand have served to significantly displace Māori to the marginalised position of exotic and other. Te Ara Tika powerfully reaffirms Māori experience as ordinary, and embeds Te Tiriti o Waitangi and core Western ethical principles into a framework uniquely of this land. Within this paper I share my application of this framework as an exemplar for others to benchmark against and critique. I conclude by advocating for the uptake of the Te Ara Tika framework by Tauiwi (non-Māori) researchers as a response to the challenge from Māori to do acceptable, accountable and responsible research.

Realising the rhetoric: refreshing public health providers' efforts to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi in New Zealand.

ABSTRACT Objectives. New Zealand has a unique tool, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi, for addressing health disparities. Indigenous Māori have compromised health status compared to other groups. This paper investigates ways in which public health units (PHUs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) use Te Tiriti o Waitangi in service delivery to Māori. Design. A nationwide telephone survey of primary health providers (n=162) was conducted in 2014-15. Participants were asked about effectiveness and monitoring of their service delivery to Māori. Results. PHUs reported actively working with Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi to reduce health disparities. Direct Māori engagement with development and delivery of programmes was viewed as essential. Strategies included designated PHU staff in positions of responsibility, formal partnerships with Māori, and providing operational and strategic guidance. Some PHUs supported development of cultural competencies. NGO responsiveness to Māori was variable. Some NGOs described prioritising service delivery and programmes for Māori. Others reported the focus of their service was European or other non-Māori ethnicities. Lack of resources or past difficulties engaging with Māori were barriers. Conclusion. Public health has an ethical commitment to reduce health disparities. Advancing Te Tiriti obligations in everyday practice has the potential to address inequalities.

Embracing a Pākehā cronehood: storying self, society, and the common good

ABSTRACTWithin the social and professional circles of the Pākehā (settler) authors of this article, we witness and aspire to cronehood as a status to be embraced – an opportunity to make old bones enriched with life’s experiences and promising the possibilities of shared life-enhancing wisdom. Cronehood, we posit, is something that may be nurtured in the context of community. Its potency cannot be separated from the consideration of the socioeconomic, political and environmental injustices that impact on the everyday choices of many people. Drawing on the work of Marshall, we pursue inner arcs of reflection on cronehood from our experiences as Pākehā women now in our thirties, forties and sixties. We also navigate the privileges and responsibilities we associate with our personal situations and the issues of our time and place. We then focus on Marshall’s ideas about outer arcs of reflection and influence to amplify our advocacy for public investment in the common good. Writing this article together drew ...

Bicultural praxis: the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to health promotion internationally

The transformation of health inequities between indigneous and non-indigneous people is necessary to any just society. Health promotion that addresses these injustices thus must be inherently political work particularly in colonial contexts with systemic inequities. Aotearoa New Zealand is one such context. We take as our starting point a commitment to implement bicultural praxis informed by interpretations of the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (1840). This treaty sets in place governance arrangements between the indigenous people (Māori) and the Crown of Great Britain. This paper explores the application of this praxis within health promotion from a settler standpoint. Firstly, it revisits the timeline leading to the signing of Te Tiriti, reviews the significance of Te Tiriti to health promotion practice in Aotearoa New Zealand and proposes four propositions to inform a bicultural praxis which, the authors argue, has an application internationally where indigenous and settler values must come into a just relationship.