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.