Steadfast is the rock: Primary health care Māori nurse leaders discuss tensions, resistance, and their contributions to prioritise communities and whānau during COVID-19

Abstract

Historical experience from previous pandemics, together with knowledge of significant and perpetuating health inequities, led to predictions that Mori and Pacific peoples would experience greater morbidity and be hardest hit economically. Steadfast is the rock describes the mahi (work and actions) of three Mori nurse leaders through the first COVID-19 lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020. Through krero (discussion and dialogue), this article draws on their experiences of working in a large mainstream primary health entity working across the Northland region of Aotearoa as they navigated their way within and across health sector providers and organisations to protect the health and wellbeing of whnau (families). They used their knowledge of mtauranga Mori (Mori knowledge and tradition), to ensure Mori whnau were prioritised in the pandemic response in the region. They faced adversity and resistance in a fragmented system where competition and power interfered with collaborative practices. Throughout, they remained courageous and resilient, holding true to mtauranga Mori as nurses and Mori whine (women) to promote equity. Yet much of their work went unnoticed and unacknowledged. Mori nurse leaders hold a necessary role in providing an equityfocused response across mainstream and Mori health providers, through their abilities to maintain relationships, find mutually agreeable strategies, and work collaboratively across the health sector.