Māori patient requested womb back whole, but it was sent to a lab for testing instead

Tracy NealOpen Justice multimedia journalist, Nelson-Marlborough·NZ Herald·15 Jun, 2026 07:00 AM6 mins to read‌Health NZ failed to provide the patient with culturally appropriate care. Photo / Getty ImagesBefore a hysterectomy, a Māori patient made it clear they wanted their womb back “whole and intact” without “cutting or slicing”, for cultural reasons.But despite that, their whare tangata was sent to the laboratory for testing.

Now the hospital and a surgeon involved have been found to have breached