What we do matters: Supporting anti-racism and decolonisation of public health teaching and practice through the development of Māori public health competencies

Abstract

Objective

This research sought to expand on a set of core Māori hauora ā-iwi/public health competencies initially designed for teaching and to enable their use in workplaces.

Methods

The research used a kaupapa Māori methodology in four stages including the development of draft levels of competence for all core competencies, consultation hui (meetings), analysis of feedback and redrafting, and respondent validation.

Results

Key themes elicited in relation to the content of the competencies included increasing language expectations, the importance of strength-based approaches and self-determination, and the need for individual responsibility to address structural racism. Reflective practice was identified as a fundamental cross-cutting competency. Participants suggested planetary health and political ideologies be included as additional socio-political determinants of health with equity impacts. Key concerns related to the application of the competency document included the need for cultural safety and ensuring that all public health practitioners are ‘seen’.

Conclusions

The Māori hauora ā-iwi/public health competencies have been published under a Creative Commons licence.

Implications for public health

The process of drafting a set of Māori public health competencies elicited key themes potentially relevant for public health practice in other countries and resulted in a competency document for use by universities and workplaces.