Our commitment to an equitable future in Aotearoa
APM has a commitment to working towards a more equitable future in Aotearoa. We strive to use our influence to cultivate inclusiveness, promote equity, justice, and empower all people to grow personally and professionally.
“We aim to build cultural capability within the organisation, and create a workplace culture that weaves Te Ao Māori into the work we do and the way we do it.” – Cleo Hotereni, APM’s National Manager – Māori and Diversity
We have established a Tai Tikanga Māori team that includes a National Manager Māori, Cultural Relationship Leads, a Cultural Clinical Advisor and Ngā Kaihāpai: Māori Champions, plus cultural clinical advisor available to provide our people with one-to-one cultural support when they need it.
The team has worked hard to develop a comprehensive programme that provides opportunities that grow the cultural capability, confidence, and competence of all APM Aotearoa employees, through exposure to our Indigenous knowledge and values.
This suite of offerings supports the work Te Tai Tikanga are leading to embed culturally safe practices across APM Aotearoa.
Some examples of offerings include quarterly mihi whakatau (welcoming ceremony) for new starters, regular cultural hui that focuses on specific concepts or events relating to the Māori culture, kaupapa (topic) of the week session that provide engagement and interaction opportunities to learn or practice te reo Māori (the Māori language), as well as APM wide karakia (affirmations) to start and finish our working week.
In 2023, we have also launched a scholarship programme that will support Māori and Pasifika students on their journey into the workforce, awarded to four occupational therapy and physiotherapy students in the final two years of their degree, who have demonstrated a commitment to improving Māori and Pasifika health outcomes.
“These inaugural scholarships represent a practical example of how we are living our APM Aotearoa values, as well as our commitment to supporting the growth of our Māori and Pasifika health workforce. It also supports our vision for APM Aotearoa to be recognised as the Tāngata Tiriti health, rehab, and employment services provider of choice for Māori, Pasifika, and other underserved communities in NZ.” – Ulima Tofi - Clinical Cultural Advisor
Hear from some of the 2023 scholarship recipients here.
If you’re interested in becoming part of APM and being given the opportunity as part of our inclusive culture, search our current openings today.