Applying tikanga to person-centred care

Healthcare should be provided in a way that is respectful and culturally sensitive to all who access health and wellbeing services.

The incorporation of tikanga into healthcare can improve the level of care offered, make clients feel more comfortable in healthcare settings, and support their overall wellbeing rather than focusing only on their physical health.

Respecting and applying tikanga can provide meaningful care for Māori clients. Tikanga can also support best practice across healthcare delivery to all clients, no matter their cultural or ethnic belonging.

At NZTC, all of our health and wellbeing study programs include a specific focus on providing safe and culturally appropriate care.

While the focus is on tikanga Māori and the influence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in healthcare practice, students are encouraged to reflect on how those values and principles can be applied across different cultures and how their own cultural background may impact on the care they provide.

Understanding the below aspects of tikanga and how they apply to healthcare practice and delivery will help those in the sector to work safely within New Zealand’s diverse healthcare environments:

Whānaungatanga

Take the time to get to know and make connections with the client and their whānau (family). It is important to collaborate and provide opportunities for them to contribute toward decisions regarding care plans.

Include whānau members where possible. Ensure they know they can stay through the process when assisting clients with personal care, and always gain consent.

Manaakitanga

Showing manaakitanga through the way clients are greeted and interacted with, fosters quality relationships with them and their whānau. It’s about creating a warm, and welcoming environment where clients and whānau feel valued, safe and respected.

Tapu

Tapu can be acknowledged through using a different flannel to wash the head from the rest of the body. The head is the most tapu (sacred) part of the body, and healthcare professionals should always ask a client for specific permission before touching their head.

This can also be applied to all parts of the body in order to maintain the mana and dignity of clients. Take the time to check with a client what is sacred to them as different cultures have different ideas around what is tapu.

Mana

Recognising the mana of a client can be incorporated through providing opportunities for them to carry out tasks themselves and be part of decision making, and protecting their rights through ethical care practices.

Mana can refer to the power, influence, authority or prestige of a person. Every person has mana of some form, but acting disrespectfully towards a client or breaching tapu tramples on their mana.

Whānaungatanga and manaakitanga are essential in providing appropriate and safe care that upholds tapu and mana.