ŷ��AV

ŷ��AV has issued a formal apology to Māori trainees and Fellows who have experienced culturally unsafe, racist, and inequitable conditions during their training.

This follows the findings of ŷ��AV and Allen+Clarke’s Māori Trainee Recruitment and Retention Research, which highlighted the systemic barriers, racism, and isolation faced by Māori trainees.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, this apology marks an important part of Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and ŷ��AV’s responsibility to support Māori trainees and Fellows in safe and respectful training environments.

Discussions are also underway about conducting similar research into the experiences of First Nations trainees in Australia, which may be alongside other medical colleges. While still in development, this work represents a broader commitment to equity and cultural safety across the College.

Tēnā koutou katoa,

To all Māori trainees and Fellows who have trained or are currently training in obstetrics and gynaecology, and to Māori whānau and communities. We acknowledge and deeply regret that Māori trainees and Fellows have experienced culturally unsafe, racist, and inequitable environments within the Fŷ��AV training programme.

Research commissioned by ŷ��AV and conducted by Allen + Clarke, into the experiences of Māori in the Fŷ��AV training programme, confirmed what Māori have voiced for years:

• That systemic racism, stereotyping, and cultural dismissal have caused harm
• That unsafe training environments have isolated and undermined Māori trainees
• That ŷ��AV has failed to provide consistent cultural safety and support
• And, that this harm has extended beyond individuals to whānau, hapū, iwi, and Māori communities

We acknowledge the findings of this research and on behalf of ŷ��AV, we take responsibility for these failures.

We recognise that they reflect not only individual behaviours but also the structures, policies, and cultures of the College and hospitals where training is delivered.To Māori trainees, Fellows, and whānau, we apologise unreservedly for the hurt, loss of trust, and additional cultural burden you have carried.

This apology is part of our ongoing commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and to upholding our vision of excellence and equity in women’s health.

But words alone are not enough. The goal of the research was to identify ways to improve the recruitment and retention of Māori in the Fŷ��AV training programme. And the research provided clear evidence of where we need to improve.

This apology is underpinned by clear commitment to action outlined in ŷ��AV’s Te Rautaki Māori me te Ara Whakamua (Māori Strategy and Action Plan). Actions include:

• Develop recommendations on providing a culturally safe environment in hospital placements for Māori trainees, that can be incorporated into hospital accreditation standards and used as a guide for placing trainees
• Review the ŷ��AV complaints process to identify and recommend improvements for responding to those relating to cultural safety, racism, and discrimination
• Consider developing a proposal for a kaiāwhina role to provide dedicated support for Māori trainees and assist them with navigating the challenges of cultural loading and culturally unsafe workplace environments
• Continue to work on alleviating cultural load for Māori Fellows and trainees, including considering insights from Te ORA research in this area
• Investigate ways to provide greater flexibility in training, including flexibility in training timing to support parenting, whānau and iwi commitments, or those who wish to study te reo Māori or tikanga Māori

With the stewardship of He Hono Wāhine, ŷ��AV continues to monitor closely progress against Te Rautaki Māori me Te Ara Whakamua and will be providing updates at hui-ā-tau. In addition to the actions in Te Rautaki Māori me te Ara Whakamua, we plan to take a hard look at our own organisation. Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku has agreed to explore a racism audit.

We know that we cannot undo the harm caused, but we are committed to learning, listening, and transforming the College so that current and future Māori trainees are safe, supported, and valued.

If you are currently experiencing racism, an unsafe environment, or the research and this apology have raised past experiences that are troubling you, we encourage you to reach out now.

ŷ��AV firmly believes that growing the Māori O&G workforce is vital to better meeting the needs of the wāhine and whānau of Aotearoa.

We are committed to working to ensure the Fŷ��AV training experience supports this by valuing and nourishing Māori trainees.

Dr Gillian Gibson
ŷ��AV President
On behalf of the ŷ��AV Board