The Principles of The Treaty of Waitangi – related to Mental

Health

Treaty of Waitangi:

The Treaty of Waitangi is officially recognizedas the founding document of this nation and

is the base from which Maori andnon-Maori conduct their affairs and

relationship. The government hasresponsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi

and has an objective to improve thehealth status of Maori.

The History of Maori

• 950 –1130 AD

• Kupe one of the great polynesian navigators.

• Travelled from Hawaiiki to Aotearoa.

• Later returning to Hawaiiki preaching the richness of this land. Bringing about the settling of Maori in the Hokianga.

New Zealand discovered

• 1642 Dutch explorer Able Tasman sailed into NZ waters

• 1769 James Cook, rediscovered NZ

1840 Signing of Treaty

• So what does this mean for consumers and whanau whom are Experiencing mental illness.

Treaty Principles:

• Partnership

• Protection

• Participation.

Implementing the Treaty Principles

• Requires recognition that nurses hold positions of power in their relationships with Maori health consumers .

• Implementing the principles is based on Maori having autonomy and authority to determine their health needs and health experience within context of their beliefs and practices.

Meeting the health needs of Maori Patients

• Maori are structurally disadvantages and Maori and non-Maori hold different views of health.– Maori knowledge needs to be seen as legitimate and

validated

– There needs to be the capacity and flexibility to engage individuals who identify as Maori to express their taha Maori, freely

– Informed choice- right to be given adequate information on kaupapa Maori services or mainstream services.

Te PuawaitangaMaori Mental Health National Strategic frameworks

• Goals and objectives for District Health Boards:

• Goal 1: Provide comprehensive clinical, cultural and support services to at least 3 percent of Maori, focus on those who have the greatest mental health needs.

• Goal 2: Ensure that active participation by Maori in the planning and delivery of mental health services reflects Maori measures of mental health outcomes.

• Goal 3: Ensure that 50% of Maori adult tangata whaiora will have a choice of a mainstream or a kaupapa Maori community mental health service.

• Goal 4: Increase the number of Maori mental health workers (including clinicians) by 50% over the 1998 baselines.

• Goal 5: Maximise oppertunities for intr – and intersectoral co-operation.

Service Elements of a Kaupapa Mental Health Service.

• Whakawhanaugataga• Whakapapa• Cultural Assessment• Empowerment of

Tangata whaiora

whanau.• Te reo Maori

• Tikanga Maori• Kaumatua• Access to traditional

healing• Access to mainstream

health services• Quality performance

measures relevent to Maori.