wellbeing

This article explores the impact on whānau wellbeing following wāhine being transferred to either secondary or tertiary care hospitals to receive health care for themselves or their baby during the birthing journey. It was found that throughout this process, the wāhine and whānau faced a series of challenges that compromised their wellbeing. Feeling isolated from their home, support networks and baby, and not fulfilling their motherhood expectations were major challenges.

Rights-based approaches to health in Aotearoa New Zealand have increased in recent years. However, dominant Westernised conceptualisations of rights have been criticised for their ties to colonialism and individualistic focus. This paper presents Oranga Mokopuna as an alternative which disrupts Western notions of rights that are assumed to have universal application. Based in Te Ao Māori, Oranga Mokopuna provides a conceptual frame of reference for the realisation of tāngata whenua rights to health and wellbeing.

Central to the concept of iwi vitality is the notion that iwi are able to actively determine what matters to them from a mana whenua perspective. This paper argues that progress towards the achievement of iwi vitality can be measured in a way that is consistent with iwi values and aspirations. The paper reports on research that explores what it means to be well at the iwi level for Ngāi Tai. The research involved wānanga at Tōrere Marae with Ngāi Tai participants and14 “expert” interviews. A Ngāi Tai Vitality Outcomes Framework is presented.