From The International Indigenous Policy Journal: Vol 5, Issue 1. 2014
Amohia F. Boulton: Whakauae Research for Maori Health and Development, amohia@whakauae.co.nz
Heather H. Gifford: Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development
This article looks at two studies that investigated the concept of whānau ora – on the nature of resilience and the impact of the Working for Families policy, in relation to whānau ora.
“This article seeks to achieve two things. Firstly, it posits the argument that while the term whānau ora is well understood at a policy and service delivery level, the term is less well articulated by Māori families; indeed, understandings of whānau ora are variable and diverse amongst the general Māori population.”
It begins with some background. It then explains how they combined the results of the two qualitative studies. The analysis was grouped into high level themes – wellbeing; happiness; sense of belonging, identity, and active participation; support; financial security; looking forward and supporting potential.
The last part of the article provides a secondary analysis on the alignment of their findings with the Taskforce on Whānau-Centred Initiatives’ (2010).
They conclude: “These findings -that there is no one understanding of whānau ora; that whānau ora is a multidimensional concept; and that, even for whanau with only limited understanding of the cultural institutions of te ao Māori, access to these institutions remains important – have implications for those providing social services to Māori families.”
Find the article here.