Celebrating 20 Years: 20 Years of Service to Māori Nursing.

Huarahi Whakatū was born in the early 2000s from a desire to recognise, affirm and support a workforce that was both clinically and culturally competent.

A partnership between Te Rau Matatini, Te Ao Māramatanga – Māori Caucus (New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses), Te Kaunihera o Ngā Neehi Māori (National Council of Māori Nurses) and Ngā Ngaru Hauora o Aotearoa (National Māori Health Providers Association) supported the design, development, and piloting of Huarahi Whakatū PDRP. The programme gained New Zealand Nursing Council accreditation in 2009 and began a process to embed across the Health System from 2010.

The development of Huarahi Whakatū PRDP accelerated the desire for the establishment of a Māori Nursing School and undergraduate qualifications that supported a focus on clinically and culturally competent health practitioners. This culminated in a drive to form the Māori Nursing School within Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiarangi and the establishment of Te Ōhanga Mataora: Bachelor of Health Sciences Māori Nursing.

Each year over 100 Māori Registered Nurses are supported to complete the Huarahi Whakatū PDRP.