Te Waka Tūhono
Project Background
Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust (NKMP) provides health and social service programmes, addiction and counselling services, rongoā practitioners and a low-cost medical practice in the Murihiku rohe (Invercargill area). NKMP is focused on supporting whānau in their community to reach optimum health and wellbeing. Te Waka Tūhono has emanated from this commitment to the health and wellness of whānau of all ages. The support, connections and mana of NKMP has been pivotal to the success of Te Waka Tūhono.
Te Waka Tūhono is a pilot innovation funding through the Te Ao Auahatanga Hauora Māori: Māori Health Innovation Fund
The innovation was designed for local Māori rangatahi between 14 -17 years of age who are at risk of experiencing harm from alcohol and other drugs. NKMP’s rationale for implementing Tūhono is that historically non-Māori drug and alcohol counselling approaches do not resonate readily with rangatahi, and that rangatahi are more receptive to participating in group activities that build connections, and in turn gain a direct benefit from the rebuilding of Māori identity, cultural connections, relationships and the strengthening of whanau.
Te Waka Tūhono
What we did
This evaluation was conducted alongside the implementation of the innovation for the two year period. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collated from each of the 10 cohorts (up to September 2021) since delivering the first course in Aug-Sept 2019. This report includes referral, engagement, enrolment and completion data, the total number of wānanga and type of ELA (Experiential Learning Approach) sessions held and the total number of participants attending each. Interviews with kaimahi, stakeholders, whānau and rangatahi were held six monthly. A pre and post survey was developed with NKMP, data was analysed across the cohorts’ demonstrating shifts in attitudes, behaviours and alcohol and drug use.
Outcome
Te Waka Tūhono has supported the wellbeing of rangatahi Māori in Southland by providing a programme that is educational, holistic, and culturally grounded. Since the introduction of Te Waka Tūhono in 2019, 63 rangatahi have completed the programme. Rangatahi participating in Te Waka Tūhono demonstrated improvements in behaviour, attendance, and engagement at school, and in developing aspirations for employment after school. They have reduced their use of harmful substances, and report improved mental health and wellbeing.
Find more information about Te Pūtahitanga and their innovative work at here
“Everything about Te Waka Tūhono has brought me closer to my whenua and who I am, and I'm so grateful for that opportunity. I could have easily just gone off the rails, but coming here and being with all of these guys has really helped me.”
- rangatahi
Find out how we can help you
We’ll work with you to find out what’s working, where investment could be put to best use or how to improve anything not going to plan. We can help you define success and set tangible, measurable goals. And we talk in real language so you can understand and engage with the findings. We engage with the community to conduct community research and consultations for private companies, trusts, government agencies, NGOs and more. But we have a special interest in research that has a purpose - to better society and teach lessons. We aim to help those we work with build capacity to enact positive change.
