Maori Development and the Treaty of Waitangi

 

Policy Statement

Family Planning is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and contributing to the improvement of Maori sexual and reproductive health and well-being through advocacy, consultation, collaboration with Maori providers, professional training and responsiveness, appropriate service delivery and research.

 

	Article 1 PARTNERSHIP	Article 2 PROTECTION	Article3 PARTICIPATION
Explanation of the Principle	The Treaty guarantees to Maori people a share in the decision-making power in organisations at all levels.	The Treaty guarantees to Maori people the power to define and protect treasures. It is the responsibility of the Treaty partner to facilitate these guarantees.	The Treaty guarantees Maori people equality of opportunity and outcomes.
Family Planning’s Strategic response (Strategic Objectives)	Promotion of Maori partnerships in decision making at all levels.	Effective acknowledgement and protection of Maori needs and aspirations.	Involvement of Maori participation to ensure equality of opportunity and outcomes.
Family Planning’s Operational response (Operational Principles)	1.       Ensure that the needs and aspirations of Maori are reflected in the development, planning and delivery of services, policies and processes 2.       Build internal capabilities and knowledge to enhance and increase our responsiveness to Maori 3.       Build and maintain credible, long-term relationships with Maori 4.       Work collaboratively with other agencies and stakeholders to improve outcomes for Maori 5.       Implement monitoring and evaluation processes to monitor responsiveness to Maori in policies, services and processes.

 

 

1. Ensure the needs and aspirations of Maori are reflected in the development, planning and delivery of services, policies and processes.

Family Planning will increase the involvement of key Maori staff and external experts, where necessary and appropriate, in the development, planning and delivery of services, policies and processes. It will involve:

• Ensuring key Maori staff and external experts are notified and available to participate in such processes.
• Ensuring a Maori perspective is accurately reflected in policies, processes and key strategic documents.
• Providing programmes and services that are culturally appropriate, effective and address the diverse needs and aspirations of Maori.

2. Build internal capabilities and knowledge to enhance and increase our responsiveness to Maori.

Family Planning will provide appropriate training and development to build the capability and capacity of our staff and processes to enable us to improve our everyday engagement with Maori clients, service providers and communities. It will involve:

• Ensuring appropriate support systems are in place for such training.
• Identifying staff cultural competency needs and requirements.
• Ensuring that training is conducted in a manner that respects Maori values and supports Maori cultural processes.

3. Build and maintain credible, long-term relationships with Maori.

Family Planning will build and maintain credible, long-term relationships with Maori that are strategic and mutually beneficial. Relationships with Maori are vital to the provision of effective and responsive services for Maori. It will involve:

• Identifying and prioritising who should be our key strategic contacts.
• Developing and maintaining a database of key strategic contacts.
• Developing a relationship building strategy.

4. Work collaboratively with other agencies and stakeholders to improve outcomes for Maori.
Family Planning will engage cooperatively with other health sector agencies and Maori communities to improve better sexual & reproductive health outcomes for Maori. It will involve:

• Identify who are the most appropriate health sector agencies and Maori communities.
• Developing and maintaining a database of appropriate contacts.
• Exploring opportunities to enter into joint venture arrangements.

5. Implement monitoring and evaluation processes to monitor responsiveness to Maori in policies, services and processes.

Family Planning will ensure appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes are in place to check the effectiveness of responsiveness to Maori in policies, services and processes. It will involve:

• Regularly checking the progress of objectives and actions, as they relate to Maori, in annual Action Plans.
• Annually assessing the performance indicators, as they relate to Maori, in annual Action Plans.
• Providing recommendations for improvement and/or change.