Reflections on Waitangi day.

Annual Maori protest 3 - Waitangi Day'
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Today is Waitangi day in New Zealand. On February 6 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the representatives of some of the indigenous tribes of Aotearoa and the representatives of the British Crown. Many people see the Treaty of Waitangi as our founding document and the beginning of a partnership between Maori and non-Maori. Each year people gather at Waitangi to commemorate the signing of the Treaty.

The Treaty of Waitangi has had an influence on Midwifery and shaped the concepts of Cultural safety and Midwifery partnership. My understanding of partnership has grown from understanding of the concepts of partnership, protection and participation as outlined in the Treaty.

Midwifery in New Zealand had a history of not recognising different cultures. The effects of colonisation and assimilation had an impact on Maori women who were forced to birth in hospitals rather than at home. Essentially, Maori started to loose their birth traditions, their world view of concepts of health and illness, such as caring for the placenta, full involvement of whanau (family) in the birthing process, unrestricted birthing positions, use of karkia, Whangai U (breast feeding practices) to name a few

Then in the 1980's Irihapeti Ramsden developed Kawa Whakaruruhau or Cultural Safety in Nursing and Midwifery education. Sometimes the dominant culture believe the way they percieve the world is how everyone does. This was a challenging time for many non-maori as it encouraged them to reflect on their own culture and realities, reflect on how historical, political and social processes affect peoples health and demonstrate flexibility in relationships with people who are different to themselves.

We all come from different realities, we are not all the same. The next time someone says to you "we are all the same" What will you say?