The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and Kāpo Māori Aotearoa (KMA) in New Zealand have formed a partnership to benefit Māori eye health.
The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Tatou Pounamu) in Auckland on 15 July. It is valid for three years, effective immediately, and will also be reviewed in its final year of the current duration.
Kāpo Māori Aotearoa is a member-based society providing support and advice for kapo (blind, vision impaired and deafblind) Maori and their whanau (extended family).
RANZCO director and chair of the Māori and Pasifika Health Committee, Dr Justin Mora, is hopeful about what this partnership signifies.
“Our shared kaupapa (purpose) of striving for equity, while supporting Māori to attain self-determination with their health, puts us in a really strong position to move forward and achieve better outcomes,” he said.
“Delivering a culturally safe experience throughout the entire pathway is also of the utmost importance to us, and we’re confident that in working together with the Kāpo Māori Aotearoa team, we will be able to improve in this area.”
KMA chief executive Ms Chrissie Cowan echoed Mora’s sentiments.
“We’re excited to work in partnership with RANZCO to develop a Māori centred approach that improves Māori eye health and wellbeing outcomes in Aotearoa. The commitment we have each made today signals a positive step in the right direction to achieving our aspirations,” she said.
“We acknowledge the expertise that RANZCO brings and their commitment to building a relationship that is informed, guided by and practices Māori principles and values, including rangatiratanga (self-determination), kaitiakitanga (protection and guardianship) and manaakitanga (respect and generosity).”
RANZCO has agreed to provide appropriate resourcing, advice, and information to KMA members. KMA has agreed to provide advice on engaging and establishing meaningful relationships with Māori networks, and guidance on cultural safety issues.
The agreement will see a working group established with equal representation to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate the action plan. An annual joint report will also be produced.
“We have a real opportunity here to improve the eye health for everyone in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This agreement puts pen to paper in acknowledging our shared goal, and how we can work collaboratively to achieve this,” Mora said.
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