Health and Safety Representatives and Kaimahi Māori Voice

Certain music, art and writing resonates with us at a deeper level because it perfectly captures a moment in time, emotion, or gives us strength and inspiration. Something that does this for me is the haka Tika Tonu. Composed by Rangatira Waimarama Puhara (Ngāti Kahungunu) for his son, its message is of challenge, perseverance and achievement, and can be used to pay homage and support people through difficult times. 

Tika tonu! U - e! 

What’s right is always right! Indeed! 

A tragic reality of work in Aotearoa in 2023 is that Māori are far over-represented in workplace injury and death. This is not right and should not be accepted as normal or unavoidable. It can be broadly attributed to failures in health and safety systems that were not made by or for Māori. Barriers to Māori worker voice have limited the ability for Māori to influence how work is designed and done in a way that meets Māori health and safety needs. If the harm Māori face at work is to change, this change needs to be led by Māori voices.

WorkSafe is committed to supporting and applying kaupapa Māori to health and safety and more than ever business and sectors are recognising the value of te ao Māori in keeping workers safe. It is here that Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) play an important role. For the HSR system to work for Māori it must embrace and empower Māori cultural values, increase the number of Māori HSRs and raise Māori worker voice. In doing this we can lower harm experienced not only by kaimahi Māori, but all workers in Aotearoa.

Tika tonu atu ki a koe, e tama

Hiki nei koe aku whakaaro, pakia!

Be true to yourself, my son

You have raised my concerns, so listen up!

Māori cultural values are powerful when applied in the role of an HSR. A foundation of Māori culture and mātauranga Māori is knowing how to take care of each other (manaakitanga), as are the values of respect, trust, honesty and integrity.

While Western health and safety concepts traditionally focus on risk, health and safety from a Māori lens is about wellbeing (hauora). In te ao Māori collectivism and group wellbeing is valued over individualism, and whānau provides strength and values. Effective HSRs work to build inclusive teams founded on trust and a shared sense of belonging. By incorporating Māori values such as tikanga and wānanga Māori, a whanau centered approach to health and safety can be created that recognises the impact one’s personal life and community has on workplace health and safety.

He hiki aha to hiki?

He hiki roa to hiki?

What is this problem you are carrying?

How long have you been carrying it for?

Whanaungatanga and whakawhanaungatanga – the interconnectedness of relationships and the way we build and maintain those relationships is one of, if not the, most important abilities of an HSR. Success as an HSR depends on the relationships we build and way we communicate to build these relationships. HSRs who understand and apply different communication styles, incorporate te reo Māori and adapt to make others feel comfortable and build trust can be very effective.

Incorporating different languages and ways of communication in the workplace helps create an environment where all cultures are valued and empowered to speak up on health and safety, strengthening worker voice. Further, applying Māori language and concepts to health and safety can increase understanding and resonate with Māori. Terms such as tapu (restricted), noa (unrestricted) and kia tūpato (be cautious). There is also the reciting of karakia to mentally prepare before doing something with an element of danger or to engage in healthy work behaviour.

E tama, te uaua ana

E tama, te mārō

So son, it may be difficult for you

and son, seem to be unyielding

I attended the inaugural Māori Health and Safety conference in Kirikiriroa last month. The speakers and discussion were excellent, and everyone was left buzzing with mātauranga haumaru Māori, but it was the actions of someone from the audience that emphasised how te ao Māori can be applied to enable worker voice.

A man stood to ask a question regarding mental health. Under the pressure in front of the audience, talking about an emotional subject, he began struggling to speak. A woman instinctively rose, walked to him and placed her hand on his shoulder in support. With her tautoko and awhi he was able to get out the words and have his voice heard. This is perfectly suited to the role of an HSR.

Roa ina hoki ra

Te tohe o te uaua na e tāu nei

although long you reflect on it

the answer to the problem is here inside you.

I would encourage all HSRs to learn about and consider applying Māori cultural concepts at the workplace to improve health and safety and strengthen the voice of their colleagues, Māori and non-Māori. I also believe that more Māori HSRs are needed to represent the views and perspectives of kaimahi Māori and help ensure they are heard, valued and supported. By listening to, understanding and respecting Māori perspectives, we can change the way we work for the better.

Kia kaha HSRs, thank you for the manaakitanga you show you colleagues and accepting the wero to keep them safe.

Ana! Ana! Ana! Aue... Hī!

Indeed! Indeed! Indeed! Yes, indeed!

I would like to acknowledge and thank the following for the inspiration and mātauranga that informed this article:

• Ngāti Kahungunu and Waimarama Puhara for the taonga Tika Tonu
• Tane Cook, Moira Loach, Vance Walker, Wayne Kohi and all the speakers at the 2023 Māori Health and Safety Conference
• Te Rōpū Marutau o Aotearoa and the Haumaru Tāngata Framework
• Gloria Ewe, the Au whānau, and all the participants involved with the Hauora Report
• The Te Pou Ora whānau and everyone involved with the Maruiti kaupapa