Putting Maaori health and cultural competency at the heart of Nursing’s future

24/03/25

Manukau Institute of Technology has relaunched its Te Tohu Paetahi Tikanga Rangatira aa Tapuhi - Bachelor of Nursing – Maaori (TTPTRT) degree programme.

A celebration of this took place in the whare of Ngaa Kete Waananga Marae, Ootara in the presence of representatives from Kiingitanga, Waikato Tainui, Ngaa Ringa Awhina – MIT’s Maaori Nursing alumni group, MIT senior leadership, kaiako, along with past and present aakonga.

“We are justifiably proud of the strong, warm-hearted and enduring links we hold with Mana Whenua on our rohe,” Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga told those in attendance.

“While there is an easiness to this relationship it stands on the formal foundation of the Kawenata signed between the institute and iwi in 2016,” Mr Lotu-Iiga says.

In the nine years since the Kawenata was agreed, the partnership has supported scholarships, regular exhibitions at MIT to increase understanding of the Kiingitanga and the development of Bachelor of Nursing – Maaori.

Originally launched in 2020, the degree programme is open to students from all backgrounds preparing to deliver healthcare as a registered nurse with a particular focus on indigenous tikanga, reo and kaupapa.

The late King Tuuheitia gave permission for the Waikato waiata ‘Timatangia Te Puea’ to provide the philosophy underpinning the programme.

It acknowledges the commitment of Princess Te Puea Herangi to advancing the health outcomes of the Waikato people, the delivery of care in a Maaori environment and the ongoing importance of continuing her work.

“This tohu (qualification) is founded on our partnership and the strong connections we have honouring the legacy of Princess Te Puea who showed amazing foresight in understanding that our health is firmly grounded in spiritual, whaanau and cultural connection; and represents the greatest taonga we all possess,” says MIT Head of Nursing, Associate Professor Deborah Rowe (Kai Tahu).

Kahui Ariki representative Ngaire Lasika (left) with MIT Executive Director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga at the relaunch of Bachelor of Nursing – Maaori.

The move to Te Puukenga a national network of vocational education providers and with it the development of unified qualifications led to enrolments inTTPTRT being put on hold.

However, the more recent transition to establishing independent, regionally-based polytechnics has allowed for the reintroduction of the tohu.

To date, there have been sixty-five graduates of the programme with thirty-two aakonga (students) currently studying towards the qualification

Current aakonga Tash Williams (Ngaapuhi) has worked in community health for twenty years. She was inspired to train as a nurse through caring for her own mother during the latter stages of her life. At that time, she only encountered one Maaori nurse on the wards.

“She hated hospitals. But one time she was cared for by a Maaori male nurse and I saw what an impact it had on her,” Tash Williams told Whakaata Maaori at the relaunch.

“I want to be that nurse for our Maaori whaanau when they’re maauiui (sick).”

In October 2024, the Nursing Council released its latest Registered Nurse Standards of Competency. These are based on six pou and underline the central importance of Maaori health and cultural competence to current practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.