Whānau Ora Hauora

Abstract

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