Culture and Crisis Response in New Zealand.

Abstract

New Zealand is a bicultural nation, founded on the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi by the native Ma ̄ori and the British Crown. It is also home to people from many countries, cultures and ethnicities. Therefore, culturally-relevant response to crisis events has become a significant aspect of the Ministry of Education’s interdisciplinary Traumatic Incident Teams’ work. The Traumatic Incident Teams, which aim to support school communities and early childhood centres in the aftermath of crisis events, are mindful that people and communities recover best when supporters work within the cultural, religious and philosophical beliefs of those affected. In New Zealand, particular attention is paid when working with Ma ̄ori to support processes of tangihanga (traditional mourning ceremonies), and cultural practices according to the protocols of Maori groups. This paper discusses three separate responses to crisis events in New Zealand and the place of cultural relevance and sensitivity in recovery.