Amendment provided for Ngā Paerewa health and disability services standard

An amendment has been published that corrects table 2 on page 22 for Criteria application framework, specifically under subsection 5.3 (Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programme and implementation). This clarifies that criterion 5.3.1 (service providers shall have a documented AMS programme that sets out to optimise antimicrobial use and minimising harm) applies to Residential disability services (noting that the programme shall be appropriate for the size, scope and complexity of the service).

First te reo Māori inclusive standard

This is a timely reminder during Māori Language Week / Te Wiki o te Reo Māori as to the importance of Ngā Paerewa which represents our first New Zealand standard with bilingual te Reo Māori elements included. It was created with consideration given to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy, the United Nations Treaties and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The standard contains extensive definitions that support inclusion of te reo Māori, tikanga (procedures), kawa (etiquette), rongoa Māori (traditional healing encompassing herbal remedies, physical therapies like mirimiri and spiritual healing), and kaupapa Māori, such as hauora hinengaro (mental wellbeing), hauora tinana (physical wellbeing), hauora wairua (spiritual wellbeing) and hauora whanau (family wellbeing).

Ngā Paerewa health and disability services standard is funded for free access by the Ministry of Health allowing anybody access to the guidance of the 24 New Zealand agencies and committee members that contributed to its development.

Download a copy, along with its amendment:

NZS 8134:2021 Ngā Paerewa health and disability services standard(external link)