Karakia Poka

In 2023 ANZCA commissioned tohunga (expert practitioner) Mark Kopua (Te Atianga a Hauiti) to create a special karakia to provide pre-surgery comfort to patients and their families and whānau. 

Karakia are prayers or incantations used by Māori to acknowledge and affirm the spiritual world and their ancestors. Māori families frequently use karakia in their day-to-day lives. In the case of upcoming surgery, karakia offers another element of protection to the person undergoing anaesthetic.  

Creation of the ANZCA karakia was funded through a grant from the ANZCA Health Equity Projects Fund. The fund supports ANZCA’s work to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.

Anyone is welcome to use this karakia, and we would encourage all hospitals and anaesthesia departments in Aotearoa/New Zealand and beyond caring for Māori patients (in particular) to:

Last updated 17:32 17.10.2024