The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR)’s vision is for equitable health and workforce outcomes for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
The Board wishes to empower its members to embrace learning and change in this area, including the discomfort of confronting and understanding the potential for one’s own unconscious biases, racism or discrimination.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologist (RANZCR) is committed to supporting the professions of clinical radiology and radiation oncology to contribute to equitable health outcomes for Maori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This work is central to the strategic objectives of the College; encompassing training, workforce and policy development, and the workplace.
We will honour our commitment to Indigenous health by:
To support the College's work in achieving its commitment, the Board has established the Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Empowerment Committee (MATEC) as a high-level bi-national committee reporting to the Faculties of Clinical Radiation and Radiation Oncology Councils jointly with the goal of supporting the professions of clinical radiology and radiation oncology to deliver more equitable health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Māori people.
Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Empowerment Committee Terms of Reference
RANZCR’s Statement of Intent for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health outlines our objectives and values in relation to this work:
Statement of Intent for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
In 2021, MATEC developed the RANZCR Action Plan for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (the ‘Action Plan’). The Action Plan was updated and approved by both Faculty Councils in 2024, and will continue the current Priorities for Indigenous peoples as described in the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. The Action Plan will also take into account perspectives of Horizon 1, in the College’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, and ongoing to 2040.
This important work has the potential to realise real and meaningful change for the professions, Indigenous clinical radiology and radiation oncology workforces and Indigenous communities. Working towards more equitable health outcomes for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples will take a whole-of-College response and is a shared responsibility of the Board, our governance, all members, trainees and staff. Thank you for working with us on this.
Action Plan for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Cultural safety is defined by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the National Health Leadership Forum of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health peak organisations (in consultation with MBA and AMC) as follows:
'Cultural safety is determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities. Culturally safe practice is the ongoing critical reflection of health practitioner knowledge, skills, attitudes, practicing behaviours and power differentials in delivering safe, accessible and responsive healthcare free of racism.'
'Patient safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is the norm. We recognise that patient safety includes the inextricably linked elements of clinical and cultural safety, and that this link must be defined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.' (Ahpra, 2020)
Cultural safety is defined in the Aotearoa New Zealand context as:
'The need for doctors to examine themselves and the potential impact of their own culture on clinical interactions and healthcare service delivery.
The commitment by individual doctors to acknowledge and address any of their own biases, attitudes, assumptions, stereotypes, prejudices, structures and characteristics that may affect the quality of care provided.
The awareness that cultural safety encompasses a critical consciousness where healthcare professionals and healthcare organisations engage in ongoing self-reflection and self-awareness and hold themselves accountable for providing culturally safe care, as defined by the patient and their communities'. (MCNZ, 2019)
RANZCR is committed to developing the clinical radiology and radiation oncology workforce to recognise and respond to the diverse needs of Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities. RANZCR does emphasise that education on cultural safety is a journey of learning, reflection and discovery.
Resources have been curated for the Cultural Safety Resource webpage. We encourage trainees, Fellows and IMGs to use these resources to provide more impactful, meaningful, culturally safe care for Indigenous patients, their families, whānau and communities. Please click here.
Are you Indigenous and considering a career in clinical radiology or radiation oncology? We would be delighted to hear from you and answer any questions you may have! Please click here for a flyer outlining some information about the RANZCR Annual Indigenous Scholarship for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees and which contains some general information about the specialties of clinical radiology and radiation oncology. RANZCR Annual Indigenous Scholarship FlyerOur Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Empowerment Committee members are a great source of information and advice for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and junior doctors considering a career in clinical radiology or radiation oncology. If you are considering specialising in clinical radiology or radiation oncology, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we would be pleased to put you in touch. Support for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trainees The College offers up to six individual scholarships of up to AU$5,000 are available each year, to be used towards educational activities. Please click here for further information including the guidelines and when to apply. The Journey Before Us RANZCR acknowledges the many years of tireless work and advocacy undertaken by Indigenous Elders, Ancestors and Indigenous leaders who precede us. This legacy has resulted in The Treaty of Waitangi (introduced into NZ Legislation) and the Uluru Statement from the Heart (endorsed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but not the Australian government). The status of these historic documents reflects the differences between New Zealand and Australia on their paths to better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In addition, and relevant to the Statement from the Heart, RANZCR acknowledges the Australian government's Closing the Gap policy framework and associated targets to reduce life expectancy gaps within a generation, and New Zealand's equivalent Māori health strategies and frameworks. A note on language The College respectfully acknowledges Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of Aotearoa and Australia respectively. The term Indigenous is respectfully used interchangeably with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Peoples given the bi-national context of the College. The College acknowledges that self-determination and cultural safety are fundamental to outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia, Māori in Aotearoa and Indigenous Peoples globally. A note on Imagery Aboriginal design by Leigh Harris, Creative Director from Ingeous StudiosAt the background of the design are healing waterways which depicts the healing process that needs to take place between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australia. This achieved through knowledge sharing depicted through the black dot elements throughout the waterway which represent this knowledge sharing an understanding. Key to this understanding is the sharing of this knowledge throughout the RANZCR network with individual and stakeholders. This depicted through the three central images (gatherings) within the design. The outer element is symbolic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout the country that share their individual stories and knowledge with RANZCR. These stories and knowledge are inherently connected to our shared past history and of Country and Culture depicted through a stylised representation of Country. Māori design by Ariki CreativeThis design is called a Haehae design and represents the lines of whakapapa and genealogy. Mereana Pokai, a RANZCR staff member who is Māori, has kindly interpreted this as representing the richness and depth of our College history, that acknowledges both the past and the future, as the design also has a modern take on it. This seems fitting as the College looks to the future. ContactIf you are Māori, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and would like to discuss any aspect of this work, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..For those interested in a career in clinical radiology or radiation oncology, please contact Bridie Searle, First Nations Trainee Liaison Officer, on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We would be delighted to hear from you and answer any questions you may have! Please click here for a flyer outlining some information about the RANZCR Annual Indigenous Scholarship for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees and which contains some general information about the specialties of clinical radiology and radiation oncology.
RANZCR Annual Indigenous Scholarship Flyer
Our Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Empowerment Committee members are a great source of information and advice for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and junior doctors considering a career in clinical radiology or radiation oncology. If you are considering specialising in clinical radiology or radiation oncology, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we would be pleased to put you in touch.
Support for Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trainees The College offers up to six individual scholarships of up to AU$5,000 are available each year, to be used towards educational activities. Please click here for further information including the guidelines and when to apply. The Journey Before Us RANZCR acknowledges the many years of tireless work and advocacy undertaken by Indigenous Elders, Ancestors and Indigenous leaders who precede us. This legacy has resulted in The Treaty of Waitangi (introduced into NZ Legislation) and the Uluru Statement from the Heart (endorsed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but not the Australian government). The status of these historic documents reflects the differences between New Zealand and Australia on their paths to better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In addition, and relevant to the Statement from the Heart, RANZCR acknowledges the Australian government's Closing the Gap policy framework and associated targets to reduce life expectancy gaps within a generation, and New Zealand's equivalent Māori health strategies and frameworks. A note on language The College respectfully acknowledges Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of Aotearoa and Australia respectively. The term Indigenous is respectfully used interchangeably with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Peoples given the bi-national context of the College. The College acknowledges that self-determination and cultural safety are fundamental to outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia, Māori in Aotearoa and Indigenous Peoples globally. A note on Imagery Aboriginal design by Leigh Harris, Creative Director from Ingeous StudiosAt the background of the design are healing waterways which depicts the healing process that needs to take place between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australia. This achieved through knowledge sharing depicted through the black dot elements throughout the waterway which represent this knowledge sharing an understanding. Key to this understanding is the sharing of this knowledge throughout the RANZCR network with individual and stakeholders. This depicted through the three central images (gatherings) within the design. The outer element is symbolic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout the country that share their individual stories and knowledge with RANZCR. These stories and knowledge are inherently connected to our shared past history and of Country and Culture depicted through a stylised representation of Country. Māori design by Ariki CreativeThis design is called a Haehae design and represents the lines of whakapapa and genealogy. Mereana Pokai, a RANZCR staff member who is Māori, has kindly interpreted this as representing the richness and depth of our College history, that acknowledges both the past and the future, as the design also has a modern take on it. This seems fitting as the College looks to the future. ContactIf you are Māori, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and would like to discuss any aspect of this work, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..For those interested in a career in clinical radiology or radiation oncology, please contact Bridie Searle, First Nations Trainee Liaison Officer, on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The College offers up to six individual scholarships of up to AU$5,000 are available each year, to be used towards educational activities. Please click here for further information including the guidelines and when to apply.
The Journey Before Us RANZCR acknowledges the many years of tireless work and advocacy undertaken by Indigenous Elders, Ancestors and Indigenous leaders who precede us. This legacy has resulted in The Treaty of Waitangi (introduced into NZ Legislation) and the Uluru Statement from the Heart (endorsed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but not the Australian government). The status of these historic documents reflects the differences between New Zealand and Australia on their paths to better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In addition, and relevant to the Statement from the Heart, RANZCR acknowledges the Australian government's Closing the Gap policy framework and associated targets to reduce life expectancy gaps within a generation, and New Zealand's equivalent Māori health strategies and frameworks. A note on language The College respectfully acknowledges Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of Aotearoa and Australia respectively. The term Indigenous is respectfully used interchangeably with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Peoples given the bi-national context of the College. The College acknowledges that self-determination and cultural safety are fundamental to outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia, Māori in Aotearoa and Indigenous Peoples globally. A note on Imagery Aboriginal design by Leigh Harris, Creative Director from Ingeous StudiosAt the background of the design are healing waterways which depicts the healing process that needs to take place between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australia. This achieved through knowledge sharing depicted through the black dot elements throughout the waterway which represent this knowledge sharing an understanding. Key to this understanding is the sharing of this knowledge throughout the RANZCR network with individual and stakeholders. This depicted through the three central images (gatherings) within the design. The outer element is symbolic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout the country that share their individual stories and knowledge with RANZCR. These stories and knowledge are inherently connected to our shared past history and of Country and Culture depicted through a stylised representation of Country. Māori design by Ariki CreativeThis design is called a Haehae design and represents the lines of whakapapa and genealogy. Mereana Pokai, a RANZCR staff member who is Māori, has kindly interpreted this as representing the richness and depth of our College history, that acknowledges both the past and the future, as the design also has a modern take on it. This seems fitting as the College looks to the future. ContactIf you are Māori, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and would like to discuss any aspect of this work, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..For those interested in a career in clinical radiology or radiation oncology, please contact Bridie Searle, First Nations Trainee Liaison Officer, on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
RANZCR acknowledges the many years of tireless work and advocacy undertaken by Indigenous Elders, Ancestors and Indigenous leaders who precede us. This legacy has resulted in The Treaty of Waitangi (introduced into NZ Legislation) and the Uluru Statement from the Heart (endorsed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but not the Australian government).
The status of these historic documents reflects the differences between New Zealand and Australia on their paths to better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. In addition, and relevant to the Statement from the Heart, RANZCR acknowledges the Australian government's Closing the Gap policy framework and associated targets to reduce life expectancy gaps within a generation, and New Zealand's equivalent Māori health strategies and frameworks.
A note on language The College respectfully acknowledges Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of Aotearoa and Australia respectively. The term Indigenous is respectfully used interchangeably with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Peoples given the bi-national context of the College. The College acknowledges that self-determination and cultural safety are fundamental to outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia, Māori in Aotearoa and Indigenous Peoples globally. A note on Imagery Aboriginal design by Leigh Harris, Creative Director from Ingeous StudiosAt the background of the design are healing waterways which depicts the healing process that needs to take place between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australia. This achieved through knowledge sharing depicted through the black dot elements throughout the waterway which represent this knowledge sharing an understanding. Key to this understanding is the sharing of this knowledge throughout the RANZCR network with individual and stakeholders. This depicted through the three central images (gatherings) within the design. The outer element is symbolic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout the country that share their individual stories and knowledge with RANZCR. These stories and knowledge are inherently connected to our shared past history and of Country and Culture depicted through a stylised representation of Country. Māori design by Ariki CreativeThis design is called a Haehae design and represents the lines of whakapapa and genealogy. Mereana Pokai, a RANZCR staff member who is Māori, has kindly interpreted this as representing the richness and depth of our College history, that acknowledges both the past and the future, as the design also has a modern take on it. This seems fitting as the College looks to the future. ContactIf you are Māori, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and would like to discuss any aspect of this work, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..For those interested in a career in clinical radiology or radiation oncology, please contact Bridie Searle, First Nations Trainee Liaison Officer, on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The College respectfully acknowledges Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Peoples of Aotearoa and Australia respectively. The term Indigenous is respectfully used interchangeably with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Peoples given the bi-national context of the College.
The College acknowledges that self-determination and cultural safety are fundamental to outcomes for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia, Māori in Aotearoa and Indigenous Peoples globally.
A note on Imagery Aboriginal design by Leigh Harris, Creative Director from Ingeous StudiosAt the background of the design are healing waterways which depicts the healing process that needs to take place between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australia. This achieved through knowledge sharing depicted through the black dot elements throughout the waterway which represent this knowledge sharing an understanding. Key to this understanding is the sharing of this knowledge throughout the RANZCR network with individual and stakeholders. This depicted through the three central images (gatherings) within the design. The outer element is symbolic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout the country that share their individual stories and knowledge with RANZCR. These stories and knowledge are inherently connected to our shared past history and of Country and Culture depicted through a stylised representation of Country. Māori design by Ariki CreativeThis design is called a Haehae design and represents the lines of whakapapa and genealogy. Mereana Pokai, a RANZCR staff member who is Māori, has kindly interpreted this as representing the richness and depth of our College history, that acknowledges both the past and the future, as the design also has a modern take on it. This seems fitting as the College looks to the future. ContactIf you are Māori, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and would like to discuss any aspect of this work, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..For those interested in a career in clinical radiology or radiation oncology, please contact Bridie Searle, First Nations Trainee Liaison Officer, on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Aboriginal design by Leigh Harris, Creative Director from Ingeous Studios
At the background of the design are healing waterways which depicts the healing process that needs to take place between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australia. This achieved through knowledge sharing depicted through the black dot elements throughout the waterway which represent this knowledge sharing an understanding. Key to this understanding is the sharing of this knowledge throughout the RANZCR network with individual and stakeholders. This depicted through the three central images (gatherings) within the design. The outer element is symbolic of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout the country that share their individual stories and knowledge with RANZCR. These stories and knowledge are inherently connected to our shared past history and of Country and Culture depicted through a stylised representation of Country.
Māori design by Ariki Creative
This design is called a Haehae design and represents the lines of whakapapa and genealogy. Mereana Pokai, a RANZCR staff member who is Māori, has kindly interpreted this as representing the richness and depth of our College history, that acknowledges both the past and the future, as the design also has a modern take on it. This seems fitting as the College looks to the future.
If you are Māori, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and would like to discuss any aspect of this work, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For those interested in a career in clinical radiology or radiation oncology, please contact Bridie Searle, First Nations Trainee Liaison Officer, on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..