The organisation representing Maori Nurses says its inaugural Indigenous Nurses Aotearoa Conference this Saturday in Auckland is a chance to empower its members to speak out about issues.
More than 250 Maori nurses will take part in the conference, part of Te Runanga o Aotearoa, New Zealand Nurses Organisation Hui a-Tau (Annual General Meeting) and has the theme: 'Our Health, Our Taonga'.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku said the conference will feature speakers such as Moana Jackson, a leading voice in seeking redress when there has been breaches of Te Tiriti.
Ms Nuku said the aim was to inspire Maori nurses to become leaders and give them the confidence to voice their opinions over matters of concern such as pay disparities and an increasing workload.
She said nurses were often seen as complacent and the hui was an opportunity to inform Maori nurses of their rights and put 'a fire in their bellies'. The conference is also open to the public.