Abstract:
This paper explores whänau ora (family wellbeing) as a contemporary embodiment of Mäori-created hauora (health and wellbeing) initiatives towards the realization of kotahitanga (co-operative co-existence) with non-Mäori. Over 200 Mäori health and disability organizations have been created within the public health systems in New Zealand since the 1990s. In 2002 a Mäori health strategy—He Korowai Oranga—was collaboratively produced by the Mäori health sector and the Minister of Health. The overall aim of He Korowai Oranga is “whänau ora” (family wellbeing) (Ministry of Health, 2002). This paper explores not the policy but the practice of whänau ora by several hauora Mäori organizations. It provides examples of how Mäori organizations inform service delivery of whänau ora through the use of Mäori models of health—models created to be inclusive of non-Mäori practitioners and service receivers.
