Spiritual Care in Aotearoa New Zealand
We are on a journey to enhance wairuatanga and spirituality in Aotearoa New Zealand’s healthcare system.
There is a growing policy mandate for wairuatanga, spirituality, and spiritual care to be explicitly identified and nurtured in our healthcare system, yet this promise remains unfulfilled.
This research project will move us closer to this goal.
Spirituality in Aotearoa New Zealand
Manuka Henare
“Māori religion is a belief in spiritual beings, and is both a way of life and a view of life. lt is found in rituals, ceremonies, religious objects, sacred places and sites, in art forms and carvings, in songs and dances, proverbs, wise sayings, and riddles, in the naming of people and places, in myths and legends, and in customs, beliefs, and practices. For example, traditional oral sources are replete with detailed accounts of the religious preparations for crossing the ocean” (2001, p.79).
The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
“Religion/spirituality should be considered alongside other social, environmental, and cultural determinants to achieve a more holistic understanding of the person’s needs and supports. A person’s religion/spirituality may affect their health and healthcare needs, their ability to understand and cope with their illness, their experience of symptoms, and the support and care that they may receive from family, friends, and their community”.
Feel free to drop us a line using the contact form or email us directly at spiritualwellbeing@otago.ac.nz if you would like more information about the project.
Please also let us know if you would prefer to communicate in Te Reo Māori or would like to speak to one of our Kairangahau Māori.
You can also post a comment on our Blog.
Sources
Henare, M. (2001). Tapu, mana, mauri, hau, wairua: A Māori philosophy of vitalism and cosmos. In John. A. Grim (Ed.), Indigenous traditions and ecology. Harvard Press of the Centre for the Study of World Religions.
The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists position statement. Position statement: “The relevance of religions and spirituality to psychiatric practice". https://www.ranzcp.org/news-policy/policy-and-advocacy/position-statements/religion-and-spirituality-psychiatry 2018.
