Media Release
Thursday, October 27 2016
New research shows gaps widening for Māori
Wai-Research today launches two important publications that look into Māori child wellbeing and the widening gaps in
Māori Mental Health, as well as announcing Emeritus Professor Sir Mason Durie as Pou (Patron) of the research unit.
Wai-Research is responsible for a research programme that supports Te Whānau o Waipareira to evidence the best outcomes
for whānau. In line with Te Whānau o Waipareira’s 25 year generational strategy, the priority for the research programme
is to drive innovation that empowers whānau to prosper.
Sir Mason Durie has been instrumental in the development of best outcomes for Maori families throughout his career, and
especially through his contribution to Whānau Ora. One of New Zealand’s most eminent academics, Sir Mason’s research on
whānau development and kaupapa Māori research imperatives have provided a significant knowledge base from which to
advance Maori research in general, and in specific a community based Māori research entity such as Wai-Research.
With his substantial knowledge of Māori health research, Sir Mason has been instrumental in guiding and advising Wai
Research since its inception in 2014. Te Whānau O Waipareira are honoured to utilise this opportunity of the publication
launch to officially acknowledge Sir Mason in the newly founded position of Pou [Patron].
The two research reports that Sir Mason will be launching in his new position, ‘He Puāwaitanga o Ngā Tamāriki: West Auckland Whānau talk about Child Wellbeing’ and ‘Kaupapa Māori models of Psychological Therapy and Mental Health Services’ underpin Waipareira’s strategic aim to contribute to a knowledge base for whānau, with the ultimate aim of creating
strategies where whānau hopes and opportunities can flourish.
‘He Puāwaitanga o Ngā Tamāriki: West Auckland Whānau talk about child wellbeing’ is a research partnership between Wai Research and Dr Tim Jelleyman, a paediatrician specialising in community child
health for the Waitemata District Health Board.
While there are various publicly defined concepts of what constitutes child wellbeing which have traditionally driven
health policy and practice, the aim of this research is to hear the voices of West Auckland Māori parents, grandparents,
and caregivers to get insight of what child wellbeing means to them. ‘He Puāwaitanga o Ngā Tamāriki’ is the analysis of these stories, and identifies broad themes that were articulated by West Auckland families.
The report shares the findings and aspects that Māori families identified as foundational to child wellbeing, and which
are not currently captured by child wellbeing measurement approaches. The research highlights the importance of finding
meaningful ways for the community to participate in conversations around improving child wellbeing, so that targeted and
specific strategies based on the actual needs and realities of urban Māori communities, rather than generic Government
priorities, are achieved.
‘Kaupapa Māori models of Psychological Therapy and Mental Health Services’ is a literature review funded by the Health Research Council, which focuses on identifying gaps in the current knowledge
around the frameworks and application of kaupapa Māori based psychological therapy. Authored by medical student Acacia
Wratten-Stone as part of her HRC Māori Summer studentship, the rationale for the report is based on the high incidence
of poor mental health outcomes among Māori and low rates of service utilisation.
The research also focused on the current lack of understanding of whether current services are, in fact, providing
culturally appropriate care, and if so, what this looks like. Even less investigated are the specific needs of urban
Māori, and how the current existing literature might inform the development of appropriate mental health strategies and
services by a health and social service provider such as Te Whānau o Waipareira.