WORKSHOP: Exploring What Enables Culturally Safe Practice: An Experiential Workshop
Tracks
Ballroom 3 - In-Person Only
| Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| 1:40 PM - 2:00 PM |
| Ballroom 3 |
Overview
Richard Tankesley, Matariki Services
Three Key Learnings
1. Increased awareness of what supports or hinders culturally safe interactions in real-world practice
2. Greater clarity about the capabilities required of practitioners in the moment, including how these may be strengthened and applied
3. Insight into personal and shared practice that can inform ongoing development, reflection, and application in participants’ own contexts
Presenter
Mr Richard Tankersley
Manahautū | Director
Matariki Services
Exploring What Enables Culturally Safe Practice: An Experiential Workshop
Presentation Overview
From an Indigenous wellbeing perspective, culturally safe practice is critical to achieving equitable and effective outcomes across health, social, and community settings. While often discussed in principle, less attention is given to what actually enables practitioners to create culturally safe interactions in the moment.
This 90-minute experiential workshop invites participants into a shared exploration of practice. Rather than focusing on models or definitions, the session centres on lived experience. Through small-group dialogue and guided reflection, participants will examine moments in their work where cultural difference mattered, and consider what supported – or hindered – culturally safe outcomes.
The workshop will surface insights into the skills, knowledge, and behaviours that underpin culturally safe practice, with a particular focus on what is required of the practitioner in real time. It is designed as an open enquiry rather than a teaching session, emphasising noticing, reflection, and collective sense-making.
This session will be of interest to practitioners, educators, and leaders working in relational fields who are interested in how culturally safe practice is enacted, and who are open to exploring their own experience alongside others.
This 90-minute experiential workshop invites participants into a shared exploration of practice. Rather than focusing on models or definitions, the session centres on lived experience. Through small-group dialogue and guided reflection, participants will examine moments in their work where cultural difference mattered, and consider what supported – or hindered – culturally safe outcomes.
The workshop will surface insights into the skills, knowledge, and behaviours that underpin culturally safe practice, with a particular focus on what is required of the practitioner in real time. It is designed as an open enquiry rather than a teaching session, emphasising noticing, reflection, and collective sense-making.
This session will be of interest to practitioners, educators, and leaders working in relational fields who are interested in how culturally safe practice is enacted, and who are open to exploring their own experience alongside others.
Biography
Based in Aotearoa, Richard Tankersley (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) is an independent cultural practitioner working in organisational development, cultural capability, and wellbeing. Through Matariki Services Ltd, he supports individuals, teams, and organisations through coaching, facilitation, and strategic work to engage Indigenous knowledge in ways that are relational, practical, and mana-enhancing. His work integrates transformation, capability building, insight, and ceremonial practice as interconnected aspects of growth. Richard also holds an executive role with the Medical Council of New Zealand, contributing to organisational approaches to cultural safety, equity, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi alignment.
