A tangata whenua (people of the land) approach to conceptualising Māori health and wellbeing

Abstract

From a Māori (Indigenous to New Zealand) perspective, health is not confined to the treatment of illness but also includes the philosophical concepts, structures and cultural practices which reinforce health and wellbeing. The ill-health of Māori is often the focus of health initiatives, particularly if there is an equity approach that centres on disparities between ethnic groups. However, an Indigenous approach prioritises health and wellbeing aspirations through strengthening self-determination, identity and connection with the environment. This article synthesises knowledge from Indigenous and Māori rights, mātauranga (Māori ways of knowing) expressed in pūrākau (epistemological narratives), tikanga (Māori principles), te reo (Māori language) and lived experience to reflect a shared understanding of Māori health and wellbeing. Consideration is given to the status of Māori pre-colonisation, the ongoing impacts of colonisation, and Māori led responses to contemporary health issues. It is proposed that health for Māori, like many Indigenous peoples, should be informed by an enhanced understanding of Indigenous rights, an Indigenous worldview and notions of wellbeing. We argue that a tangata whenua (people of the land) approach is integral to the effectiveness of health policies and initiatives aimed at improving Māori outcomes sustainably. We propose that the current reorganisation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s health system, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic response, provide opportunities to emphasise and embed Māori health leadership and knowledge, as well as a tangata whenua conceptualisation of health and wellbeing.

Companion Animal Fostering as Health Promotion: A Literature Review

“…The framework is consistent with the broad concept of health represented in the Ottawa Charter and highlights aspects of health, such as spirituality and family, that might otherwise be missed. Our exploration of these aspects is initial and does not claim to represent a full understanding of these concepts or adequately convey the full significance that the original Māori terms may represent for wellbeing [ 80 ]. We encourage other researchers to explore these issues further in different contexts.…”

Reflexive thematic analysis of a coaching‐based, holistic approach to child development

“…We would argue that the best way to incorporate connectedness in child development is through an Indigenous worldview mindset, not by simply trying to adapt pre‐existing models developed through Western ways of knowing. Reweti et al explained that “wellbeing is holistic and inextricably linked to self‐determination and the natural environment… we should seek solutions and understandings from our own Indigenous knowledge base and leaders” (Reweti et al, 2022). The idea that Indigenous knowledge should inform healthcare for Indigenous Peoples extends to Indigenous worldviews informing Western healthcare systems.…”

“…explained that "wellbeing is holistic and inextricably linked to selfdetermination and the natural environment… we should seek solutions and understandings from our own Indigenous knowledge base and leaders" (Reweti et al, 2022). The idea that Indigenous knowledge should inform healthcare for Indigenous Peoples extends to Indigenous worldviews informing Western healthcare systems.…”

“…In the M aori world-view, the sky, waters (oceans, rivers, wetlands), land, trees, animals and people are all linked together (McNeill, 2017). Holistic conceptualizations of health are characteristic of Indigenous Peoples around the world (Redvers et al, 2022) including in Aotearoa New Zealand (Reweti et al, 2022), Australia (Rountree & Smith, 2016), Canada (Beaudin, 2011) and Peru (Izquierdo, 2005). In these worldviews, the physical, psychological, social and spiritual all contribute to wellbeing.…”