Eliminating all forms of racism in the health system is critical to achieving health equity and the vision of pae ora – healthy futures for all New Zealanders.
Position Statement and Working Definitions for Racism and Anti-racism in the Aotearoa New Zealand Health System
Purpose
Te Manatū Hauora has a responsibility to support the way the health system understands, reacts, responds to and addresses racism in all its forms.
‘Eliminating all forms of racism is critical to achieving health equity and the vision of pae ora – healthy futures for all New Zealanders. It is also a key part of upholding our obligations to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
‘This position statement signals the Ministry’s expectations for the system to act against racism. It reinforces the commitment outlined in Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan and is a cornerstone for the Ministry’s anti-racism work programme – Ao Mai te Rā: the Anti-Racism Kaupapa,’ says Dr Ashley Bloomfield, former Director-General of Health.
This position statement includes a set of evidence-informed working definitions for racism and anti-racism fit for the Aotearoa context. The working definitions draw on the stage one literature review which describes the origins, characteristics, consequences and impacts of racism in Aotearoa. They can provide a common understanding of what is meant by ‘racism’ and ‘anti-racism’.
These working definitions:
- are evidence-informed and supported by the stage one literature review – the Evolution of Racism and Anti-Racism
- are fit for the Aotearoa New Zealand context
- recognise the status of Māori as tangata whenua and respond to our obligations under Te Tiriti
- recognise and support the health sector principles set out in the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022
- provide broader context and support for the Ministry’s position statement on Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- provide a broader context and support for the Ministry’s definition of equity.
Our working definition for racism
Te Manatū Hauora’s working definition for racism is:
Racism comprises racial prejudice and societal power and manifests in different ways. It results in the unequal distribution of power, privilege, resources and opportunity to produce outcomes that chronically favour, privilege and benefit one group over another. All forms of racism are harmful, and its effects are distinct and not felt equally.
This working definition for racism was signed-off by former Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, in July 2022.
Our working definition for anti-racism
Te Manatū Hauora’s working definition for anti-racism is:
Anti-racism actively opposes and addresses racism in all its forms. Antiracism accepts the need to redistribute power, privilege, resources and opportunity. It requires people and institutions to examine their power and privilege and acknowledge and address power imbalances. It is an essential enabler of wellbeing and equity, particularly for Māori, Pacific peoples and communities of colour.
This working definition for anti-racism was signed-off by former Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, in July 2022.
You can read the full position statement online at Position statement and working definitions for racism and anti-racism in the health system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This position statement and working definitions were produced as part of phase one of Ao Mai te Rā: the Anti-Racism Kaupapa. You can read more about this initiative at Ao Mai te Rā | The Anti-Racism Kaupapa.