Te Hurinui Karaka-Clarke, Claire Robertshaw, Awhi Clarke

Pūrākau, Death, and Assisted Dying:

Introduction

Pūrākau, death, and assisted dying: . Unpacks assisted dying ethics through Māori cosmology & pūrākau. Advocates Kaupapa Māori principles for culturally resonant Indigenous end-of-life care.

Abstract

This conceptual article addresses several critical gaps in Indigenous health literature by exploring the ethical, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of assisted dying through the lens of Māori cosmology and pūrākau (ancestral narratives). While existing end-of-life policy frameworks often prioritise Western bioethical principles, this article argues for the inclusion of Kaupapa Māori principles—such as whakapapa, wairua, mana motuhake, and tapu/noa—as essential components of culturally resonant care. Drawing upon foundational narratives including the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku, the creation of Hineahuone, the transformation of Hinetītama into Hinenuitepō, and the fatal attempt of Māui to conquer death, we position pūrākau as dynamic ethical texts that guide decision-making. This article contributes to Indigenous health discourse by offering a whānau-centred, tikanga-informed critique of the End-of-Life Choice Act 2019 and calls for broader recognition of spiritual and relational dimensions in end-of-life care. We contend that assisted dying, when undertaken with whānau engagement, spiritual awareness, and cultural integrity, may be ethically compatible with tikanga Māori (Māori cultural practices).

Review

This conceptual article makes a highly timely and critical contribution to Indigenous health literature by meticulously exploring the complex ethical, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of assisted dying through an explicitly Māori lens. The authors adeptly identify and address significant gaps in existing end-of-life policy frameworks, which are often predicated on Western bioethical principles. By proposing the integration of Kaupapa Māori principles—including whakapapa, wairua, mana motuhake, and tapu/noa—the article sets out to develop a framework for culturally resonant care that is deeply informed by Indigenous worldviews, a crucial and often overlooked aspect in contemporary healthcare discourse. The article's methodological strength lies in its innovative approach of positioning pūrākau (ancestral narratives) as dynamic ethical texts. Drawing upon foundational Māori narratives, such as the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku, the creation of Hineahuone, and the transformation of Hinetītama, the authors provide a rich cultural tapestry from which to derive ethical guidance for end-of-life decisions. This provides a robust, tikanga-informed critique of the End-of-Life Choice Act 2019, advocating for a broader recognition of spiritual and relational dimensions in end-of-life care that extend beyond purely individualistic and biomedical considerations. The central argument that assisted dying, when undertaken with profound whānau engagement, spiritual awareness, and cultural integrity, can be ethically compatible with tikanga Māori, is both compelling and thoughtfully nuanced. Overall, this article represents a significant and much-needed intervention in Indigenous health discourse. It not only offers a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding assisted dying from a Māori perspective but also champions a whānau-centred approach to care that respects and upholds cultural integrity at a pivotal moment of life. Its call for the broader recognition of spiritual and relational dimensions in end-of-life care holds profound implications for policy-makers, healthcare practitioners, and Indigenous communities alike, fostering a pathway towards more equitable and culturally affirming practices. This work is essential reading for anyone engaged in end-of-life care, bioethics, and Indigenous health.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.