Whānau Centred Māori and Pacific led Primary Health Care
Te Piringa metaphor
Project Background
The Whānau Ora Primary Health Research Project was a step toward understanding and improving Whānau-Centred, Māori and Pacific led, Primary Health care. Te Puni Kōkiri engaged three research groups; Ihi Research, Moana Research and FEM 2006 Ltd, to undertake the research project in two stages between 2019 and 2020.
The primary objective of the research project was to leverage the achievements of Whānau Ora and health, to identify how to improve the efficacy of health services and care to Māori and Pacific whānau. The research intended to build on the ‘whānau-centred approach’ – a culturally grounded, holistic approach focused on the wellbeing of whānau and addressing individual needs within a whānau context.
What we did
The research was sequential and iterative with each activity connected to and informing the next, strengthening the process and the findings. There were four distinct research elements: a literature review and stakeholder interviews; an evaluative framework; a suite of six case studies; and this synthesis report – weaving together the critical observations that emerged through the distinct but interconnected elements of the research.
Outcome
WCMPLPH is an approach which aims to address Māori and Pacific Health inequities caused by the impact of determinants both immediate, possibly crisis-driven and intergenerational. Therefore, there are no clear and linear pathways between what is needed, what occurs and what benefits and impacts are achieved. Highly contextualised responses will be required. Acknowledging the connection between Māori and Pacific peoples, it is also critical that respect and privilege is afforded to tangata whenua and tagata pasifika, to their uniqueness and their rights to self-determination and self-expression.
The metaphor of Te Piringa has been drawn upon as a way to create space for our shared and unique expressions as Māori and as Pacific. Te Piringa provides a shelter, a haven of refuge, as well as a link between peoples, lands and ways of being.
Read the reports here
“It is evident that the growth of kaupapa Māori whānau-centred provision requires equity of funding, not equality of funding. Equitable funding is likely to have an impact on all aspects of management and practice and ultimately on the experience and health of whānau”.
-Te Kaika
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.
