Nurses Urge Government to Partner with Tāngata Whaikaha Māori Following Waitangi Tribunal Report

A landmark report from the Waitangi Tribunal has provided a roadmap for improving disability services for Māori, prompting calls from health professionals for a renewed partnership between the Crown and tāngata whaikaha Māori. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is urging the Government to act on the findings of Hauwhaikaha – The Disability System Report, which was released on 3 September 2026 as part of the Wai 2575 Health Services and Outcomes Kaupapa Inquiry. The report is the result of an extensive investigation involving 48 claimants and 13 interested parties, with hearings conducted between 2022 and 2024. It highlighted the vital role of kaupapa Māori providers, recognizing them as essential for sustaining hauora Māori and as practical expressions of tino rangatiratanga. The Tribunal recommended greater support for these providers to ensure whānau can access timely and culturally appropriate care. NZNO kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku noted that the findings reinforce long-standing calls from Māori nurses for better cultural safety within the workforce. The report identified specific needs for Kāpō Māori (those with vision impairments), Tāngata Turi (Deaf Māori), and those affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). To address these, the Tribunal suggested improvements such as increasing the availability of trilingual interpreters and developing Māori community-led services. Advocates are now calling for a range of positive reforms, including the co-design of disability services and stronger Māori representation in governance. The NZNO also supports the Tribunal's recommendation to restore robust monitoring of Māori health and disability outcomes to ensure accountability and equity. A spokesperson for Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston stated that the Government will take time to coordinate a response across several agencies to address the findings effectively.