Conversations in Context: Cultural Safety and reflexivity in child health

Abstract or Summary

Over 10 years, a number of nurse educators at the Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC) have worked collaboratively across primary health, cultural safety, and child and family health domains of the nursing curriculum. They share a common philosophy underpinned by notions of diversity and health equity. The philosophy informs their theoretical inquiry, practice and research interests, and pedagogical concerns. This article outlines some key aspects of their practice as nurse educators and researchers committed to the needs of their specific region in the central North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. They begin by situating themselves within the region, its people, and influences before moving into a consideration of the wider political and policy environment. They consider the destabilizing effects of cultural safety education and the tension between biculturalism and multiculturalism in their context. Finally, they reflect on how these ideas inform their work with postgraduate child and family nurses.