Media advisory, 17 September 2018,
NZNO Conference 2018: Thursday 20 September
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
Health is a human right: optimising nursing to make it happen
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Annual Conference will take place 20 September 2018 in Wellington. Once again it will be a showcase of pride and celebration around nurses’ and nursing’s achievements, as well as a major forum for discussing issues facing nurses, midwives and healthcare workers.
NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku said the conference theme: Health is a human right – optimising nursing to make it happen is fitting, given the inequalities and inequities our communities currently face.
“Nurses are in a key role to make courageous change, to challenge the status quo and to advocate for communities.
“If health is a human right and if the aspirations of the World Health Organization’s sustainable development goals – that no one is left behind – are to become reality, we must look at our role as nurses differently. We need to be chief contributors to making change for all people, especially those too often left behind by the current health system.”
NZNO President Grant Brookes says the conference will be an opportunity for nurses, midwives, healthcare workers and all members to come together and build on the goals of the organisation – which include rebuilding our health system after years of neglect.
“I think sharing time together, celebrating our achievements and listening to cross sector leaders speak will help us raise our sights and embrace the vision: Health is a human right – optimising nursing to make it happen.”
Keynote speakers
8.40am - Hon Dr David Clark, Minister of Health – Opening address
9.10am - Rachel Callendar, TEDx presenter and author
The impact and implications of language – effective communication strategies in healthcare
10.25am - Prof Margaret Brunton, Massey University School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing
What do you mean? Cross-cultural influences on registered nurse communication and practice in diverse healthcare organisations
11.10am - Janet Anderson-Bidois, Chief Legal Advisor, Human Rights Commission
Creating change – how to use a human rights approach to improve outcomes for health and disability service users
11.45am -Dr Moana Jackson (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou), Director of Ngā
Kaiwhakamarama I Nga Ture (the Māori Legal Service)
1.15pm - Annie Butler, Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Association
Falling through the cracks; is healthcare accessible to all?
A number of concurrent seminar sessions will also take place during the afternoon.
NZNO Awards
Three NZNO awards will be presented at the Conference dinner (Wed 19 September, 7pm, Te Papa):
- Young Nurse of the Year
- Service to Nursing and Midwifery
- Service to NZNO.
Media releases about these awards (embargoed until 8pm) will be issued late Wednesday afternoon.
Media are welcome to attend and report on the conference. Please contact Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617, rob.zorn@nzno.org.nz.