Oh no, no, no. Apparently it is not for many people of maori ethnicity.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation has raised concerns, in the latest collective agreement negotiations, with Health NZ about the removal of a “tikanga allowance” or Tikanga Māori Pūtea.  

Apparently, this allowance was instituted to financially recognise nurses who are able to use their knowledge of maori language and customs that are used during welcoming ceremonies for patients and in their daily work with Māori patients.

NZNO claim the allowance was seen as a way to recognize and value the cultural expertise of nurses and to support the delivery of culturally appropriate care to Māori patients.

The NZNO says its removal “is a step backwards in addressing Māori health outcomes and cultural responsibility.”

NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter wouldn’t speculate on why they had been removed, but said it was “widely known this government is trying to remove any references to addressing Māori health outcomes”. “This is probably a very low-rent sort of action by the government to attack that.”

Wow! So much for treatment being your first requirement when being admitted to hospital.

The only welcoming I require is a prompt examination by a doctor!

Where the hell are our health priorities?

Words fail me, all I can respond with is FFS!!!