NEW ZEALAND CULTURE

When searching “NZ Cultural diversity” I was firstly guided towards the 2013 New Zealand census. Which displayed a list of each different ethnicity present in NZ. A specific quote that stood out to me was the fact that “there are more ethnicities in New Zealand than there are countries in the world, that tells us that New Zealand is a diverse place and getting more so all the time" (Statistics New Zealand, 2013).

I feel that it is important to look beyond ethnicity although it is still an important aspect of culture in New Zealand, our ethnicity may shape who we are through influencing different values, beliefs, practices we need to look at culture from a deeper level.

Figure1:Kiwi
Identity Resource Pack. (n.d). Retrieved from https://nz.pinterest.com/pin/249668373064830919/

The overarching New Zealand or Kiwi culture is generally seen as unique because of their friendliness, individuality, invention and self resiliance- that can do kiwi attitude right? (New Zealand Tourism Guide, 2016).

But we are much more than that.

With the main ethnic population of New Zealand being Maori, European, Pacific Island and Asian- we are still continually growing with a variety of ethnicities residing here broadening New Zealands ethical culture ( New Zealand People, 2016)

Figure
2: New Zealand. (n.d). Retrieved from https://nz.pinterest.com/pin/557531628849402342/

Firstly when looking from  a bicultural Aotearoa perspective, The Maori, New Zealands first settlers make up to around 14.6% of New Zealands population (New Zealand Customs and Culture, 2016). Maori history, language and traditions are central to New Zealands history. This culture is enriched throughout New Zealand (New Zealand People, 2016). An example of this- to name a few is seen through the Haka performed before many of our countries sports games, kapa haka groups throughout our communities, Marae’s present throughout our country and the language that is Te Rea Maori that is learnt through our school systems and on an every day basis.

Because of the fact that New Zealand is a large festive country I researched the variety of different festivals present throughout the year in order to gain an idea of some specific cultures present- this result was huge. Some of these included food, arts, christian, Italian, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender pride, music, Russian film festival, steampunk, victorian heritage, chinese film festivals, lantern festivals, Waitangi day festivals the list once again goes on and on. Through this we can gather an idea at just how diverse New Zealand as a country is- we have no cultural boundaries and are continueing to grow in this.

The link below shows the variety of festivals present in the coming year

http://www.thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/festivals.html

Although there are many stated above, there is one cultural level that can only be observed when getting to know someone. The population of New Zealand is at 4.471 Million (Statistics New Zealand, 2013) within this population individuals differ in there own personal, underlying cultural ideas and beliefs which often aren't specifically visible to the eye. 

References

Festivals in New Zealand. (2016). Retrived from 

            http://www.thecuriouskiwi.co.nz/festivals.html

New Zealand People. (2016). Retrived from 

            http://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-

            zealand-people/

New Zealand Customs & Culture. (2016). Retrieved from 

            https://www.boppoly.ac.nz/go/international/new-zealand-

            customs-culture

New Zealand Tourism Guide. (2016). Retrieved from 

            http://www.tourism.net.nz

Statistics New Zealand. (2013). New Zealand has more ethnicities   

             than the world has countries. Retrieved from   

            http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/data-   

            tables/totals-by-topic-mr1.aspx

List of Illustrations
Figure1: Kiwi Identity Resource Pack. (n.d).
            Retrieved from https://nz.pinterest.com/pin/249668373064830919/
Figure2:
New Zealand. (n.d). Retrieved from https://nz.pinterest.com/pin/557531628849402342/

CULTURE AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

In order for cultural practice to be undertaken in the field of Occupational Therapy, we need to understand how cultural competency fits within the occupational therapy profession and why it is so important.

Working from a holistic approach is key to being an occupational therapist this is "Characterised by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease" (Oxford Dictionaries, 2016). The whole person, the mental state of the person and the social factors all need to be considered.

Occupational therapists view service users holistically as unique individuals who have paticular life experiences, interests, needs, skills, problems and motivations (Finlay, 2004)

I think it's important for occupational therapists to be aware of culture around us on an everyday basis as it's what makes therapy client-centred. Occupational Therapist take on a person-centred approach to practice. 

The calloborative relationship is hugely implemented throughout the OT profession and through (Finlay, 2004) Without getting to know an individual and without being aware of their culture we are unable to engage with the whole person on a deeper level. I feel being culturally competent is a very important aspect of being an OT. It fits within the practices foundations, values and approach which can be seen specifically in the Five Occupational Therapy Competencies with reference to number 2- Practicing appropriately for bicultural Aotearoa and number 4-Practising in a safe, legal, ethical and culturally competent way (Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand, 2015).

Practising Appropriately for Bicultural Aotearoa encourages therapists to treat people of all cultures appropriately. Aknowledge and respond to the history, cultures, and social structures. While also taking into account The Treaty of Waitangi (Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand, 2015).

Practicing in a safe, legal, ethical and culturally competent way encourages therapists to act with integrity. While including all the above factors in practice (Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand 2015).

Occupational Therapy is a profession in which Clinicians are encouraged to develop their cultural competency continually (Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand, 2015).

References

Finlay, L. (2004). The Practice of Psychosocial Occupational 
            Therapy. Cheltenham,     

            United Kingdom: Nelson Thornes Ltd

Holistic. (2016) In Oxford Dictionaries. Retrieved July 14, 2016, 
            from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/
            english/holistic
Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand. (2015) Staying 
            competent and registered as an occupational therapist. 
            Retrieved from http://www.otboard.org.nz/wp-
            content/uploads/2015/04/Competencies_April20151.pdf

CULTURALLY COMPETENT PRACTITIONERS

Defining cultural competency can be difficult, as to be competent implies a degree of knowledge surrounding the group, For most individuals cultural competency is life-time learning and comes with practice and wisdom (Jungerson 2002).

Occupational therapists try to attend to emotional, cognitive, physical and social dimensions, in the context of the persons wider lifestyle. In practice this means we need to negotiate therepeautic interventions in individualised ways: one persons treatment cannot be the same as anothers. It also means that we need to stop stereotyping our patients and clients (Finlay, 2004)

For one we are all familiar with models of practice, so why not list a few that have a specific focus on different cultures.

The Kawa Model  (Iwama, 2006)

The Kawa model is a japenese derived occupational therapy model, that uses the metaphor of the river to address the different sections of life. It was orginally designed for the Japenese culture to meet their own cultural values, the model is very adaptable so can be used with a  variety of cultures.

 Within this model the Ot has the role of being alongside the river to assist clients with breaking down barriers that are hindering the participation in meaningful occupation. The river represents the clients life, rocks are considered problems, driftword is assets and liabilities, water includes purity, spirit, cleansing and renewal, the river walls and bottom represent the social and physical environment and the spaces in between these represent where the client still has life flow which is an important means for intervention.

There are six steps to the application of this model:

step one: appreciating the client in context

step two: clarifying the context

step three: Prioritizing issues according to clients perspective

Step four:Assessing focal points of occupational therapy intervention

Step five: Intervention

Step Six: Evaluation

This video below shows an example of the Kawa Model being put into place

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxTVH049MNU

Te Whare Tapa Wha (Ministry of Health, 2016)

Te Whare Tapa Wha is a Maori derived model that can be applied to any health issue, whether it involves physical or psychological well-being. The Maori philosophy towards health is underpinned by four dimensions representing the beliefs of life.

Te taha hinengaro: Psychological health

Te taha whanau: Family health

Te taha tinana: Physical health

Te taha wairua: spiritual health

The wharenui (meeting house) is the symbol used to illustrate these areas of well-being. Just as each corner of the house must be balanced and strong to hold its structure. In order for good health each section must be balanced.

Figure 1. Durrie, M. (1998). Maori health: te whare tapu wha model. Auckland, New Zealand: 

            Oxford University Press.

Although both of these models were designed for specific cultures they have the adaptibilty to be utilised with a variety of different cultures. I do not identify as Maori but I feel that "Te Whare Tapa Wha" would be an approprite model to use with myself as physical health, psychological health, family health and spiritual health are the four most important aspects in my life. Each model can give OT’s the tools to focus on culture at a deeper level.

Below Figure 2 and 3 show a few interesting generalised facts surrounding handshakes and eye contact in different countries. It is important as a therapist to be aware of these factors as they could potentially determine rapport with clients.

We need to understand that everyone is different and has different values and beliefs. It is better to ask someone about their culture in a polite way rather than pretend that we know everything about the individual (Meyers, 2010).

Figure 2: Handshakes around the world. (n.d).

Retrieved from https://nz.pinterest.com

/pin/290341507210024461/

Figure 3: Body language around the world. (n.d).Retrieved from https://nz.pinterest.com/pin/290341507210024461/

References

Finlay, L. (2004). The Practice of Psychosocial Occupational 

            Therapy. Cheltenham,United Kingdom: Nelson Thornes Ltd

Iwama, M. (2006). The Kawa Model: Culturally Relevant  

            Occupational Therapy. London, United Kingdom: Churchill  

            Livingstone Elsevier

Jungerson, K. (2002). Cultural safety: Kawa Whakaruruhau: An 

            occupational therapy perspective. New Zealand Journal of 

            Occupational Therapy.

KawaOT. (2010) KAWA RIVER. Retrieved from 

             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxTVH049MNU

Meyers, S. (2010). Community Practice in Occupational Therapy: 

              A guide to serving the community. Mississauga, Ontario, 

             Canada: Jones and Bartlett Publishers

Ministry of Health. (2015). Maori health models- Te Whare Tapa 

            Wha. Retrieved from 

             http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-    

            health/maori-health-models/maori-health-models-te-whare-   

            tapa-wha

List of Illustrations

Figure 1. Durrie, M. (1998). Maori health: te whare tapu wha   
            model. Auckland, New Zealand: 

            Oxford University Press.

Figure 2: Handshakes around the world. (n.d). Retrieved from 

            https://nz.pinterest.com/pin/290341507210024480/

Figure 3: Body language around the world. (n.d). Retrieved from 

            https://nz.pinterest.com/pin/290341507210024461/