24 March 2026
PSNZ has made a submission to the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) on their draft statements on Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety, and Hauora Māori.
As an organisation, we strongly endorse the direction of both draft statements. The new statements represent a meaningful step forward, moving the expectation of culturally safe care from aspiration to professional obligation.
Our submission was made from a child health perspective and highlights:
- Our endorsement of both draft statements and the shift toward active professional responsibility
- The importance of whānau as essential partners in paediatric care, and our encouragement to the MCNZ to strengthen this in the final statements
- The particular significance of these standards for tamariki Māori, who as tangata whenua hold rights to healthcare that is mana-enhancing, whānau-centred, and affirming of their cultural identity
Read the full submission below 👇