Kia ora, Bula vinaka, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Fakaalofa atu, and welcome to this topic where we explore cultural identity and its influence on work practices in a health and wellbeing setting. We’ll start by defining culture and cultural identity, giving you the opportunity to reflect on your own cultural identity. From there, we’ll examine how your culture can shape the way you interact with others, particularly how it may affect your communication and interactions with people in your role as a support worker.
The Oxford Dictionary defines culture as “the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society”.
Many people think culture is about ‘race’ and ‘ethnicity’, but culture is much more than just which part of the world someone comes from. Culture also affects many other aspects of a person's identity, including age, abilities or disabilities, gender, sexual orientation, group affiliations and connections. Culture is about how people see themselves, think about things and behave.
The people you work with and support in a health setting may differ from you in many ways including:
- age
- gender
- ability
- spirituality
- sexual orientation
- immigrant status
- disability
- socio-economic status or employment
- ethnicity
Groups might also have distinct cultures, setting them apart from other groups. These groups can consist of individuals with different ethnicities, ages and other diverse characteristics, however, they will share at least one common aspect that binds them together.
For example: pensioners may be Māori, Pasifika, Pakeha or Asian. They could be single, married or divorced, they could identify as takatāpui or LGBTIQIA+. The characteristic they share is that they are all above 65 years old.
Reading
If you are interested in finding out more, click the following links for more information about diversity and inclusion.
Reflection
Consider the following questions and reflect on problems and solutions.
- Can you identify a groups’ shared characteristic just by looking at them?
- What possible problems might there be with doing this?
- What potential problems could arise between people of different groups?
- Why do these problems occur and how can we prevent or minimise this?
Cultural identity is defined as the distinct identity of people or groups. We are often born into our cultural identities. Categories that make up cultural identities include age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, religion or spirituality beliefs, social class, occupation, disability, immigrant or refugee status, or region. Culture also reflects group values, norms, and behaviours. Cultural preferences include food, music, clothing, communication, customs, and celebrations.
Activities
Complete the activity below to identify some of the things that make up your culture.
Whakapapa
In Māori culture, whakapapa, or genealogy, is a fundamental concept. Reciting your whakapapa is an introduction to yourself and your Māori identity.
It includes your ancestors and the area you belong to. Whakapapa is important as it connects tangata to their family history. Whakapapa is expressed through pepeha.
The following whānau members will be included in a whakapapa:
- Great Grandmother (Tūpuna Wahine)
- Great Grandfather (Tūpuna Tāne)
- Grandmother (Kuia)
- Grandfather (Koroua)
- Mother (Whaea)
- Father (Matua)
- Children (Tamariki)
Whakapapa not only links people but also connects them with their ancestral land. Māori have strong links with the land and will have an affiliation to a mountain, a river, a waka and their tūrangawaewae (place of belonging).
It’s important in Māori culture as it shows where someone has come from, linking a person to the land and their iwi (tribe).
Whakapapa in the workplace
A mihi is a greeting, while a pepeha is a form of introduction that establishes identity and heritage. In formal situations, the pepeha is part of a person’s mihi. A group situation where everyone gives their mihi (including their pepeha) is called a mihimihi.
Watch: Ko wai tō pepeha? What is your pepeha? (2:17 Minutes)
Watch the following video for a short explanation of the meaning and importance of a pepeha and examples of people reciting sections of their pepeha.
In the health sector in New Zealand, knowing how to do a mihi is important because it helps build strong connections with Māori patients, their families, and colleagues. It shows cultural respect and understanding, which is crucial for providing effective and compassionate care. Using a mihi can create a welcoming atmosphere and help establish trust, which is vital in healthcare settings where communication and relationships play a significant role in client wellbeing.
Reciting a mihi is an essential skill for people training to be community support workers in New Zealand. To be able to recite a mihi helps to establish a strong cultural connection and build trust with Māori clients and their communities.
Watch: Introduction to te reo – giving your mihi (4.42 Minutes)
Watch the following video for information on creating and delivering your mihi. Pay attention - you will be required to create your own mihi after watching the video.
Writing your mihi
Reflect on how you greet and introduce yourself to others for the first time.
Use the following format to write your own mihi. Practice reciting it, referring back to the video if required for help with pronunciation.
Adapted from Introduction to te reo – giving your mihi.Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa
Nō (place name of where you are from) ahau
Ko (family name) te whānau
Ko (your first name) ahau
Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.
Reading
Otago University has some great resources to help understand introductions and speeches. If you are interested in finding out more you can have a look at this website.
As a support worker, your own cultural identity can influence your actions in the workplace. Your values, beliefs and attitudes play a significant role in how you perceive, interact with, and provide care to tāngata whaiora and their whānau.
Previously, you completed an activity where you identified aspects of your own culture. We'll be building on that work in our next learning activity, so keep your activity document handy, as we'll revisit those cultural reflections in this next learning activity
Learning Activity
In this activity, you will reflect on how aspects of your own cultural identity might shape your interactions, practices and decision-making as a support worker.
1. Review Your Previous Reflections
Take a few moments to look back at the cultural identity reflections you created in the earlier (see subtopic: Cultural Identity). You reflected the following Cultural Characteristics:
- Relationships and Attitudes
- Religion/spirituality
- Language and Communication
- Cultural traditions
- Interacting with someone of a different culture
2. Identify Potential Influences
Now, reflect on how each of these areas might influence your future role as a support worker. Use the following table to guide your thinking. For each aspect of your culture, consider:
- How it might positively influence your interactions and support work practices.
- Potential challenges or biases that could arise, which you may need to be aware of.
An example has been provided for you to help you reflect.
| Cultural Characteristics | Positive Influence | Potential Challenges or Bias |
|---|---|---|
| Relationships and Attitudes | Example: Prioritising collaboration with whānau in planning and delivering care | Example: Assuming all tāngata want their family and whānau involved in decision-making without considering individual preferences." |
| Religion/spirituality | ||
| Language and Communication | ||
| Cultural traditions | ||
| Interacting with someone of a different culture |
Well done for taking the time to reflect on your own cultural identity and how it can influence your role as a support worker. Even if you found some parts of the activity challenging, it’s a great starting point for understanding the ways your own culture shapes how you interact, communicate, and provide support.
Click on the expand button to read more about how the cultural identity of a support worker may influence their work practices and how an awareness of these influences can ensure they provide culturally safe and effective support.
A support worker's own cultural beliefs around health, illness, and well-being can impact their approach to care. For example, certain cultures may emphasise holistic or spiritual care, while others may prioritise medical interventions.
A support worker’s awareness of these influences helps ensure that they respect the diverse perspectives of the clients they work with.
The way a support worker communicates, including the tone, language, and level of formality, can be influenced by their own cultural background. For instance, some cultures emphasise indirect communication or using non-verbal cues, which might affect how they interact with clients. A support worker’s understanding of their own communication style can help them navigate these differences and build rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Cultural values surrounding family or whānau involvement can affect a support worker's approach to including family in the care and support process. Some support workers may naturally seek input from family members, while others may need to adjust this practice based on a client’s preferences, which could differ depending on their cultural background.
Cultural identity often plays a role in how empathy and compassion are expressed. For example, in some cultures, emotional restraint is valued, while in others, openly expressing emotion is encouraged. A support worker's awareness of their own cultural identity allows them to be more mindful of how they express empathy and how it may be received by tāngata from different backgrounds.
Cultural identity can affect how a support worker approaches decision-making with tāngata. Some cultures value collective decision-making, involving family or community input, while others prioritise individual autonomy. Understanding these differences can help support workers navigate complex situations where clients may have preferences that differ from their own cultural expectations. Being open to a variety of decision-making styles ensures that clients feel heard and respected in their care planning.
Cultural identity can also influence how a support worker sets and maintains personal boundaries. Different cultures may have varying views on what is considered appropriate in terms of personal space, physical touch, or privacy. A support worker's understanding of these boundaries, both from their own cultural perspective and from the perspective of tangata whaiora, can help keep interactions respectful and professional. Being aware of how personal boundaries are viewed across cultures can also help in preventing misunderstandings and fostering trust.
End of Topic
Tino pai !-Great stuff! You have completed this topic of cultural identity.
Your cultural identity is a valuable part of the support worker role, as it influences how you understand and approach the needs of others. It helps you to connect with tāngata, show empathy, and provide care that respects their unique cultural backgrounds. By recognising both the positive influences and potential challenges of your cultural identity, you can develop a more inclusive and respectful approach to your future work.
Next up, we’ll dive deeper into the principles and values of Māori and Pasifika cultures. This is your chance to strengthen your support worker skills and learn how to weave cultural understanding into your everyday practice. By doing this, you’ll be well on your way to providing even more meaningful, culturally safe care. Let’s keep building on what you've learned and take it to the next level!
