Overview
The context of health care in New Zealand; health strategy, policy, structure and global influences; rural/urban communities and population influences; the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The aim of this paper is for students to develop and demonstrate advanced knowledge of the cultural context of health care and service delivery in Aotearoa New Zealand. Students will critically appraise the history and the significance of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi to healthcare, cultural safety, and social determinants of health. Students will demonstrate translation of this knowledge into nursing practice to address Māori health issues for individuals, family/whānau and communities.
About this paper
| Paper title | Health Care in New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Subject | Nursing |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (16 February 2026 - 4 December 2026) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,676.50 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MNSc
- Eligibility
An undergraduate degree in any discipline with at least three years' full-time study and a B average in the final two years of the degree.
- Contact
- More information link
- View more information about the Master of Nursing Science (MNSc)
- Teaching staff
Convenor: Kelly Tikao
- Teaching Arrangements
Taught face-to-face on the Christchurch campus. Some online attendance may be possible for distance learners.
- Textbooks
Recommended:
Orange, C. (2019). The Treaty of Waitangi An Illustrated History (2nd edition). New Zealand: Bridget Williams Books
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Critical thinking, Cultural understanding.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Critically analyse the influence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the healthcare context and show evidence of the integration of this understanding into healthcare delivery and nursing praxis
- Provide evidence of being culturally informed throughout both classroom and practicum experiences, and confidently and respectfully uphold and protect space for Te Ao Māori values, histories, and perspectives when working with Māori patients and their whānau
- Critically appraise the healthcare system, including its policies, structures, strategies, guidelines, and targets, and effectively integrate this knowledge into nursing approaches and care planning when working with Māori and other minority populations
- Critically evaluate the impact of social determinants on the health and wellbeing of Māori and other minority communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, and use this analysis to advocate for essential and equitable healthcare
- Articulate the key components of selected Māori health models presented in this course, and show evidence of the ability to apply these models in health assessments and implement them within nursing management plans
- Practise in accordance with the Six Pou of the Nursing Council of New Zealand’s Standards of Competence for Registered Nurses (2025).