Tom Devine, Tanya Allport, Amohia Bolton
Whakauae has its origins in public health research and evaluation of public health initiatives. As the organisation has matured, its focus has grown to include a range of research topics including health service improvement, policy, mātauranga Māori and community-based projects. This project was commissioned by Dr Amohia Boulton, Director of Whakauae Research Services to uncover the origins and development of Whakauae as a public health focused organisation.
The research explores the perceptions of public health among past and current Whakauae staff, delving into the unique ways they define and approach public health through a Māori lens. By doing so, this project seeks to establish a Māori-centred public health framework – one that reflects Whakauae’s values, honours Hauiti mātauranga, and serves as a guide for future research initiatives.
Unlike existing public health models in New Zealand, which predominantly follow Western paradigms, this project is dedicated to creating a model that resonates deeply with Māori. Through the framework’s development, Whakauae intends to pave the way for an innovative approach to public health, grounded in the mātauranga, tikanga, and aspirations of whānau Māori.
Led by an independent public health research, this project is using qualitative methods to capture staff insights on Māori public health. Data collection has included:
Data has been analysed thematically and an in person wānanga will be held at the end of November with all staff to discuss key components and threads of the framework based on the qualitative data. Findings will be brought together in a final report which will be shared publicly.
