Kaupapa Māori research (KMR) is an Indigenous research approach that is decolonizing and transformative. Interpretive description (ID) is a qualitative methodology used to generate knowledge relevant to the applied health disciplines. In this article, we discuss how we combined KMR and ID to investigate the experiences of Māori (the Indigenous peoples of New Zealand) with aphasia and their whānau (extended family). This is novel because it is the first time these two approaches have been combined. In the context of aphasia research, we discuss how they work together in theory, and the synergies that became apparent in practice. We conclude that the combination of KMR and ID enables clinicians and Māori with aphasia to learn from each other and work together, thereby generating knowledge that makes a difference for Māori with aphasia and their whānau.

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Indigenous peoples throughout the world, despite being known to suffer from increased risk of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI), are marginalised in terms of access to rehabilitation services and have poorer health outcomes than non-indigenous peoples. Speech-language pathology services for indigenous people with aphasia have rarely been discussed in either clinical or research fora in this field, with few guidelines available for clinicians when working with indigenous clients, families, and communities. Exploiting the broad input gathered through the collective problem-solving of a focus group, the paper integrates the input of a group of practitioners and researchers at an international roundtable held in 2016 to generate a “declaration” of issues that need to be addressed regarding aphasia services for indigenous clients with aphasia. The paper aims to promote a transformative approach to service delivery that is driven by decolonizing attitudes and practices, and acknowledges historical, sociopolitical, linguistic, and family contexts as a framework for understanding indigenous clients with aphasia.

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Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) face significant inequities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, hospitalisations and management rates, compared with non-Māori, non-Pacific peoples. These inequities are intimately linked to factors such as colonisation and the intergenerational impacts of systemic racism. This is the protocol for Manawataki Fatu Fatu for ACCESS (Māori and Pacific hearts in unison for Achieving Cardiovascular Care in Equity StudieS), a mixed-methods programme of research, combining kaupapa Māori and Pacific research methodologies (i.e. incorporating the knowledges, skills and values of Māori and Pacific peoples). In this Māori and Pacific led research programme, we will use qualitative and quantitative methodologies to identify evidence-practice gaps along the healthcare continuum that can be addressed to improve heart health outcomes for Māori and Pacific people in NZ. The programme is built on three foundation projects: (i) the assessment and management of CVD risk in primary care; (ii) pre-hospital delays in accessing care following an acute cardiac event in the community; and (iii) post-discharge and long-term management of heart failure. There are three phases. Phase 1 aims to systematically document research, completed or underway, about equitable access to evidence-based heart health care. We will establish a national collaboration of equity-focused heart health researchers and providers, and undertake systematic reviews relating to the three foundation projects. In Phase 2, we will undertake qualitative and quantitative research in the three foundational projects, to identify interventions to increase access to heart health care that have most potential to improve Māori and Pacific health outcomes and achieve equity. The quantitative and qualitative studies will be undertaken in parallel and will inform each other. Phase 3 will use findings from Phases 1 and 2 to create a Quality-Improvement-Equity Roadmap to inform interventions to improve Māori and Pacific people’s access to evidence-based CVD care.

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