Heather Came1, Rhonda Cornes2, Tim McCreanor3. 1. Senior Lecturer, Taupua Waiora Centre for Māori Health Research, School of Public Health and Psychosocial Health, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland. 2. Postgraduate Student, School of Public Health and Psychosocial Health, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland. 3. Professor, Te Rōpū Whāriki, Massey University, Auckland.
Abstract
AIM: This study examines how public health policy in New Zealand has represented the Treaty of Waitangi (the English version) and te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Māori text) between 2006 to 2016. METHOD: A dataset of 49 public health strategies and plans, published between 2006 and 2016, were secured from the New Zealand Ministry of Health database. A thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's process was undertaken and then the findings were reviewed against the Māori text of te Tiriti. RESULTS: Twelve documents referred to either te Tiriti or the Treaty. Crown discourses were characterised as i) rhetorical, ii aspirational, iii) practical and/or iv) substantive. We present a matrix of Crown health strategy and plan discourses and analyse their relationship to te Tiriti. DISCUSSION: Public health strategies and plans rarely address Treaty of Waitangi or te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. This silence is inconsistent with legislative requirements to engage with the Treaty and health equity and is likely to inform health-related Waitangi Tribunal claims [WAI 2575]. Further work needs to be done to strengthen alignment of health policy to fulfil Crown obligations under te Tiriti.
AIM: This study examines how public health policy in New Zealand has represented the Treaty of Waitangi (the English version) and te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Māori text) between 2006 to 2016. METHOD: A dataset of 49 public health strategies and plans, published between 2006 and 2016, were secured from the New Zealand Ministry of Health database. A thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's process was undertaken and then the findings were reviewed against the Māori text of te Tiriti. RESULTS: Twelve documents referred to either te Tiriti or the Treaty. Crown discourses were characterised as i) rhetorical, ii aspirational, iii) practical and/or iv) substantive. We present a matrix of Crown health strategy and plan discourses and analyse their relationship to te Tiriti. DISCUSSION: Public health strategies and plans rarely address Treaty of Waitangi or te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. This silence is inconsistent with legislative requirements to engage with the Treaty and health equity and is likely to inform health-related Waitangi Tribunal claims [WAI 2575]. Further work needs to be done to strengthen alignment of health policy to fulfil Crown obligations under te Tiriti.