Bicultural partnerships in clinical training and practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand

The basis for biculturalism in Aotearoa/New Zealand and the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to Maori mental health and clinical psychology training are discussed in this paper. Bicultural clinical training experiences are examined with reference to the clinical programme at the University of Waikato, Hamilton. The importance of cultural inclusion in training and therapy models is outlined. While significant progress in Maori recruitment and retention in the training programmes has been achieved, evidence suggests that Maori trainees are spending longer on clinical training programmes and indicating a preference for employment in Maori-based agencies. Non-Maori practitioners in mainstream agencies are encouraged to recognise the bicultural imperatives consequent on under-representation of Maori in their profession