Aims: The presentation will share our insights on incorporating cultural safety into Aotearoa/New Zealand organ donation processes through respect for Te Ao Māori (world view) and tikanga (correct practices) at the end-of-life.
Background: Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) is New Zealand’s founding constitutional document. It contains the principles underpinning co-governance of New Zealand between Māori and the Crown. In our work, Organ Donation New Zealand (ODNZ) applies the Ministry of Health Te Tiriti framework, which recognises Crown obligations to Te Tiriti for upholding the Māori right to health and health equity. Our processes should also uphold the mana (dignity, spiritual power) of donors and whānau.
Case Presentation: We will describe a donation where organ donation practitioners engaged the whānau early to understand specific Māori cultural perspectives on the end-of-life, engaged the Māori Health team to support the family through the donation process and ensured appropriate tikanga was followed.  This was an emotional and powerful experience for all the healthcare professionals involved.
Ongoing practice: ODNZ has begun a journey of weaving Te Ao Māori into our entire practice. For donation it begins with engaging early with whānau-led cultural perspectives and addressing specific cultural needs.  We work closely with hospital Māori health teams to build this bridge and ensure tikanga.  Their expertise enables us to uphold mana. We will describe our insights into this work and our future aspirations to work alongside Māori health advisors, providing resources to help whānau navigate the donation process, including donation specific karakia (ritual prayers).