Background
In March 2025 the Board | te Poari surveyed Aotearoa New Zealand registered physiotherapists about their experiences of cultural competency, cultural safety and inclusivity in the context of their professional lives.
This survey included questions about how practitioners exercise cultural safety and inclusiveness and engage with diversity in their practice. It also asked practitioners if they had experienced or witnessed issues of discrimination and bias, and if they had, what measures were taken in response.
The results of this survey were assessed by research and analysis experts at BERL. Their full report is available here and a summary is available here.
Outline of results and response
While survey responses made it clear that the majority of practitioners are proactive in their behaviours, conduct, and responses, there is measurable evidence of a problem of discrimination and bias in the profession.
We thank the more than 500 practitioners who provided their feedback and shared their experiences in this survey. Because they took the time to do this we now have the material evidence and deeper understanding we need to identify meaningful ways to address this problem.
The Board | te Poari will be using this report to inform future decisions and work including the review of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (the Code), the review of the Cultural competence standard, our programme of educational resources, and other relevant advice and regulation.
We recognise that this is a long‐term issue that require ongoing attention which is why we will be using this report as one of the core measures for our ongoing work and its outcomes.
It must be acknowledged that this is a systemic problem that requires all members and institutions of the profession to work together to help solve. The Board | te Poari cannot address this alone. That’s why we have discussed the survey and report with other institutions in the profession. Similarly, we welcome you joining us in this work by telling us your thoughts on the report, the issues it identifies, and suggestions for addressing discrimination and bias (the feedback form is below). There will also be the opportunity later for focused feedback as we consult on associated work such as the revision of the Code.
Resources
As the Board | te Poari develops additional resources to assist practitioners in addressing discrimination and bias we will update this page.
Our first recommendation is to read the report as it offers an evidential basis for the actions the profession must take.
Additionally, we recommend our two core educational webinars on cultural competence and safety which are available in our cultural competence and safety education section. These are key reflective resources that assist in understanding the breadth of culture and cultural response and are responses to the Board | te Poari current Cultural competence standard (note that this standard is under review and consultation on updates will open in the near future).
All Aotearoa New Zealand registered physiotherapists are required to be familiar with He kawa whakaruruhau ā matatau Māori: Māori cultural safety and competence standard. We have also provided two educational modules to assist practitioners in understanding te Tiriti o Waitangi which is a fundamental part of meeting the requirements of the standard.
Our October 2025 webinar – Conflict, confronting situations, and challenging conversations – has been organised to help provide tools to practitioners. You can book for this free webinar here.
Board Complaints
Conduct and minimum standards related to discrimination, bias, and conduct are covered in both the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and in standards including Cultural competence, He kawa whakaruruhau ā matatau Māori, and Professional boundaries. Note that the Code is currently under review and the profession will be consulted on proposed changes in the coming weeks.
These documents – along with other documents in the Standards Framework – are secondary legislation. This means that they form the basis of how Aotearoa New Zealand registered physiotherapists must conduct themselves and the minimum knowledge and standard they must meet to practice.
The substance of complaints and notifications made to the Board | te Poari is measured against this secondary legislation. Breaches of the Standards Framework, including the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct are notified via our complaints process.
Note that the Board | te Poati only has authority to address complaints regarding the conduct or competence of Aotearoa New Zealand registered physiotherapists. In the interests of natural justice we do not accept anonymous complaints or notifications.