Kaupapa Māori services are hauora (health) services that are grounded in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge); tikanga Māori (Māori customs); and te ao Māori (a Māori worldview). Often, that means that these services have a holistic focus on wairua (spiritual), tinana (physical), hinengaro (mental), and whānau (family) wellbeing. They are also supported with strong cultural expertise, often with kaumatua and kuia who are highly skilled and knowledgeable at cultural practices. These services work to enhance mana motuhake (the right to self-determination and self-government).
Some services may provide cultural support, or care that aligns with Kaupapa Māori ways of working, without being Kaupapa Māori services themselves.
How could it be helpful?
Kaupapa Māori services have a fundamentally different knowledge base and way of working from other services. These services could be right for you if you’re wanting services that understand and use mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori, and te ao Māori to support you and your whānau.
These services provide a range of supports. These supports often include:
- Health care
- Mental health and addiction support
- Parenting and whānau support
- Access to rongoā Māori (Māori traditional healing practices and remedies)
- Practices to care for your wairua (spirit) such as karakia (prayer), waiata (song), pūrākau (storytelling), and romiromi (massage)
- Connection to iwi and hapū networks.
- Access to support networks and career pathways.
- Wānanga – a traditional style of hui (meeting), kōrero (discussion), and ako (learning) that is used for sharing knowledge and practices.
- Skill building. These skills can include Reo Māori (Māori language), Mahi Toi (art such as raranga flax weaving), Mau Rākau (use of taiaha and other Māori weaponry), Kapa haka (Māori performance), Waiata (songs), Mahi kai ki te taiao (sourcing food from the natural world) such as diving or hunting.
- Support for kaumatua and kuia.
Whānau Ora services focus on support for the whānau. Support to meet individual needs is provided within the context of the whānau, who can identify their own goals and then get support to reach them.
How to access?
You can use Health Point to search for Kaupapa Māori services in your area.