Māori nurses condemn government changes to Nursing Council

Māori nurses and health leaders have condemned government actions targeting the Nursing Council, arguing that the changes undermine cultural safety and Māori representation in healthcare governance.

At the annual Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa NZNO hui-ā-tau, participants passed a motion rejecting Health Minister Simeon Brown’s decisions. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) reported that the Minister’s actions have led to significant resignations from the Nursing Council’s executive, including the chief executive and key legal and education advisors. The board’s membership has decreased from seven to four, leaving only one Māori member.

NZNO leader Kerri Nuku emphasized that cultural safety is essential for improving health outcomes for all New Zealanders and should not be treated as a political issue. Additionally, Nuku highlighted the urgent need to address the Māori nursing workforce shortage. Current data shows Māori nurses make up approximately seven percent of the workforce, and modeling suggests the number of Māori entering the profession must increase five-fold to reach population parity.