Physiotherapists in Aotearoa New Zealand practise within a culturally diverse environment. They are required to be competent when engaging with kiritaki hauora | patients whose cultures may differ from their own, and with colleagues and other health professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Culture and its context inform how kiritaki hauora understand health, well‐being and illness, the choices regarding their health, how they access health care services and how they respond to interventions.
Culture may include, but not be limited to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, socio‐economic status (including occupation), religion, ethnicity and organisational culture, physical or mental or other impairments. Cultural competence is key to building trust with kiritaki hauora to deliver better health outcomes.
The Board | te Poari has two standards directly relating to cultural competence and safety:
This episode is the audio version of our webinar on the new Cultural safety and cultural competence standard which came into force on 1 May 2026. Principal Professional Advisor Maarama Davis talks with physiotherapist and working party member Sheree Tikao‐Harkess about what the changes mean, how to implement them in
Principal Professional Advisor Maarama Davis talks with physiotherapist Sheree Tikao‐Harkess about the new revised Cultural safety and cultural competence standard: What the changes mean, how to implement them in practice, and ways to approach reflection.
The new Cultural safety and cultural competence standard has been released and comes into effect 1 May 2026. Please familiarise yourself with the new Standard before then.
Board | te Poari Deputy Chairperson Oka Sanerivi talks with the Chair of the APA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee Cameron Edwards about culturally safe practice.
Board professional advisor Maarama Davis in conversation with physiotherapist, academic and lecturer Te Hine‐ngaro Tuterangiwhiu and Jill Caldwell, senior lecturer currently holding academic leadership roles within the physiotherapy department & School of Allied Health at Auckland University of Technology. This conversation explores the critical themes of cultural safety, competence, and
One of the Board | te Poari projects this year was working with Kia Ora Hauora and the Pasifika Physiotherapy Association to produce videos for school‐aged Māori and Pacific youth championing physiotherapy as a career choice.
