Students’ Corner: Using Te Tiriti O Waitangi to identify and address racism, and achieve cultural safety in nursing

Abstract

Racism is an idea and belief that some races are superior to others (Harris et al., 2006a). This belief justifies institutional and individual practices that create and reinforce oppressive systems, inequality among racial or ethnic groups, and this creates racial hierarchy in society (Harris et al., 2006a). Recent studies have emphasised the impact of racism on ethnic health inequality (Harris et al., 2006a). In this article we analyse and discuss how nurses can challenge and reduce racism at interpersonal and institutional levels, and improve Māori health outcomes by understanding and using cultural safety in nursing practice and understanding Te Tiriti O Waitangi.

Keywords:

• racism
• discrimination
• Te Tiriti O Waitangi
• Māori health
• cultural safety