The Board is required under the HPCA Act to set standards of cultural competence, as well as clinical competence and ethical conduct (S 118(i) of the HPCA Act refers).

Please therefore note the following Board requirements:

• One Cultural Competence activity must be undertaken annually at any level (1, 2 or more credits). There is no set percentage of credits for this category.

• At least one ‘Treaty of Waitangi’ activity must be undertaken for each 5 year audit period at any credit level.

• For each 5 year audit period, at least one Cultural Competence activity worth 3 or more credits must be submitted, along with appropriate evidence.

Documentation and Courses:

a. The Board published 'Guidelines for Cultural Competency' to assist dietitians to include Cultural Competency activities within their Continuing Competency Programme. 

b. The Board's on-line ‘Cultural Competence’ course is accessed through this link: http://nzdb.moodle.co.nz/ and includes an on-line test.  You must contact the Registrar for the enrolment key. Successful completion of this course is essential for all overseas trained dietitians applying for registration. The course is based on 'Best Health Outcomes for Maori'.

c. The Board has sourced a worthwhile on-line training course by Mauri Ora Associates called 'Healthcare and the Treaty of Waitangi'. Please contact: info@mauriora.co.nz  for details of how to enrol. Completing this course, as well as the Board's Moodle course, is compulsory for all overseas trained dietitians prior to registration/or being issued an APC. 

A further 'Treaty of Waitangi' course (Auckland area) is available through http://www.trc.org.nz/courses

d. Further information on Cultural Competency is available on page 11 of the Board's 'Continuing Competence Programme Manual'.