AbstractAim and ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore inpatient healthcare delivery experiences of Māori (New Zealand's Indigenous people) patients and their whānau (extended family network) at a large tertiary hospital in New Zealand to (a) determine why Māori are less satisfied with the relational and psychosocial aspects of fundamental care delivery compared to other ethnic groups; (b) identify what aspects of care delivery are most important to them; and (c) contribute to the refinement of the Fundamentals of Care framework to have a deeper application of Indigenous concepts that support health and well‐being.BackgroundBi‐annual Fundamentals of Care audits at the study site have shown that Māori are more dissatisfied with aspects of fundamental care delivery than other ethnic groups.DesignRetrospective analysis of narrative feedback from survey data using an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach.MethodsThree hundred and fifty‐four questionnaires containing narrative patient experience feedback were collected from the study site's patient experience survey reporting system. Content analysis was used to analyse the data in relation to the Fundamentals of Care framework and Māori concepts of health and well‐being. The research complies with the SRQR guidelines for reporting qualitative research.ResultsFour themes were identified: being treated with kindness and respect; communication and partnership; family is the fundamental support structure; and inclusion of culture in the delivery of care.ConclusionThe current iteration of the Fundamentals of Care framework does not reflect in depth how indigenous groups view health and healthcare delivery. The inclusion of an Indigenous paradigm in the framework could improve healthcare delivery experiences of Indigenous peoples.Relevance to clinical practiceResearch around the application and relevance of the Fundamentals of Care framework to Indigenous groups provides an opportunity to refine the framework to improve health equity, and healthcare delivery for Indigenous people.