 This study aims to address the determinants of health inequities by promoting cultural competency and cultural safety in healthcare systems. The authors conducted a literature review of 59 international articles on the definitions of cultural competency and cultural safety and contextualized the findings to the cultural competency legislation, statements and initiatives present in Aotearoa, New Zealand. They also held a national symposium and consulted with Mori medical practitioners via TOI. The results show that health practitioners, healthcare organizations and health systems need to be engaged in working towards cultural safety and critical consciousness. The authors propose a definition for cultural safety that they believe is more fit for purpose in achieving health equity and clarify the essential principles and practical steps to operationalize this approach in healthcare organizations and workforce development. They also discussed the unintended consequences of a narrow or limited understanding of cultural competency and recommend a broader conceptualization of these terms. This article was authored by Alana Curtis, Reese Jones, David Typing-Leach and others. We are article.tv, links in the description below.