Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and fulfilling its obligations as a Te Tiriti partner. We recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand, and we are dedicated to improving Māori health outcomes across our region.
Our Commitment
As a District Health Board, CDHB has a statutory obligation under the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 to give effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We take this responsibility seriously and embed Te Tiriti principles throughout our organisation.
Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi means we work in partnership with Māori communities, iwi, hapū, and whānau to ensure our services are culturally responsive and that Māori health needs are at the forefront of everything we do.
He Ara Hauora Māori – Māori Health
CDHB works alongside Māori health providers and the wider community to reduce health disparities and ensure equitable health outcomes for Māori. We acknowledge that Māori experience significant health inequities, and we are committed to addressing these through:
- Partnering with iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori health providers
- Supporting kaupapa Māori health services
- Building a Māori health workforce
- Embedding cultural competency throughout our workforce
- Ensuring services are accessible, appropriate and effective for Māori
- Collecting and using data to improve Māori health outcomes
Working With Us
If you are considering a career with CDHB, you will be joining an organisation that is genuinely committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving health equity for Māori. We value staff who bring cultural competency and a commitment to Māori health to their roles.
We offer a range of support for staff to develop their cultural competency, including:
- Te Reo Māori language learning opportunities
- Cultural competency training and professional development
- Access to cultural advisors and Māori health expertise
- Opportunities to engage with Māori communities and health providers
- A supportive environment for Māori staff through our Māori staff network
He Oranga Pounamu – Our Māori Health Strategy
CDHB's Māori Health Plan outlines our strategic approach to improving Māori health outcomes. It sets out the priorities, actions and accountabilities that guide our work to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and achieve health equity for Māori in Canterbury.
Our Māori Health Plan is developed in partnership with our Māori health partners and reflects the aspirations of Māori communities across our region. It is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains responsive to the needs of Māori.
Ngāi Tahu
Ngāi Tahu is the principal iwi of the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. CDHB acknowledges Ngāi Tahu as tangata whenua of the Canterbury region and works in close partnership with Ngāi Tahu to improve Māori health outcomes. We respect the mana and authority of Ngāi Tahu and seek to build meaningful, enduring relationships based on mutual respect and shared goals.
"Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei"
– Ngāi Tahu whakatauki (proverb)
For us and our children after us.
Cultural Safety
CDHB is committed to creating a culturally safe environment for both our patients and our staff. Cultural safety means understanding the power relationships and social structures within our healthcare system and working to ensure that all people receive care that respects their identity, wellbeing and dignity.
We recognise that cultural safety is particularly important for Māori, who have historically experienced systemic racism and discrimination within the health system. We are committed to addressing these issues and creating a health system that works for all people in Canterbury.
Contact Our Māori Health Team
If you would like to find out more about our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, our Māori health services, or opportunities to work in Māori health at CDHB, please contact us.