Dr Sally Ure: A Māori perspective

Ko wai au? Who am I?

Ko Taranaki taku mounga Taranaki is my mountain

Ko Te āti Awa taku iwi Te āti Awa is my tribe

Ko Ngati Rāhiri taku hapu Ngati Rāhiri is my sub-tribe

Ko Sally toku ingoa My name is Sally

Ko kairehu mātanga ahau I am an anaesthetist

Ko rangatira o Te Tari Whakahaere Rehunga me te Mamae ahau I am a leader of the Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management

Ko Kaikaunihera o Te Whare Tohu o Te Hau Whakaora ahau I am an ANZCA Councillor

On the one hand, I’m another f**king white saviour.

A pretty white girl.

On the other hand, I have the genes to be an underachiever. I lack the capacity for critical thinking (a personal favourite).

Insults that have been hurled in anger by someone in deep distress, or slipped disparagingly into conversations over the years when I have confronted racism. They cut deeply, as a people-pleaser from way back. 

By all measures my upbringing was privileged. My parents (still married!) – both had a tertiary education and owned their house and business. I had sharp pencils, lunch in my school bag and shoes on my feet. Most importantly, in my house, education was highly valued, I was encouraged to achieve and it was never even contemplated that I would not attend university. 

Claiming my whakapapa has been an uncomfortable journey. But a wahine toa, for whom I have the utmost respect, explained to me that having claimed my whakapapa, my whakapapa has now claimed me. So I continue to walk this fine line, appearing white and privileged, without a deep understanding of mātauranga māori or cultural expertise, yet with a profound sense of responsibility to my whakapapa and a passion to improve equity for all.

I’m not sure who to attribute this phrase to, but it resonates with me now I am further along my leadership journey: there is nothing more powerful than a woman who no longer cares what people think of her.

Wāhine toa, women leaders, know themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, and are at peace with that. It is more important to me that I am acting with integrity in accordance with my principles and values, than maintaining the status quo and keeping others happy. I am driven by a need for fairness and social justice, and I will continue until we have genuine progress toward equity. Whether you like it or not.

I stand on the shoulders of giants; fortunate to be surrounded by strong leaders, both women and men as allies who have mentored and advocated for me during my career.

And I am so lucky to now have a role where I can in turn nurture potential, encourage and advocate for others – you can do it all! If it is your choice to do so, you can have a family and work. Your children will still love you, and probably won’t grow into criminals because their parent didn’t stay at home. They might even ask for your advice occasionally. 

You do need help. I have had a lot of domestic support over the years. Thank you darling (you know who you are).

I am reaping the benefits of what I, my whānau, and my whakapapa, have desired and worked hard for – the ability to have influence and make a difference. And if I encounter resistance or insults – perhaps I have hit a nerve that needs to be hit?  

Mauri ora!

Whakapapa – relating to genealogy. It is a fundamental principle in Māori culture. Reciting one's whakapapa proclaims one's Māori identity, places oneself in a wider context, and links oneself to land and tribal groupings and the mana of those.

Wahine toa – women warrior.

Whanau – an extended family or community of related families who live together in the same area.