Mātauranga māori in mental health care : breaking down barriers for better outcomes : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis explores how mental health clinicians in Aotearoa New Zealand engage with Mātauranga Māori in their everyday practice, and what enables or constrains its meaningful integration within mainstream mental health services. Despite policy commitments to equity and cultural safety, Māori continue to face disproportionate rates of mental distress and limited access to culturally grounded care. While the importance of Mātauranga Māori is increasingly acknowledged, its application in clinical settings remains inconsistent and often marginalised. This research uses a qualitative, interpretive methodology to draw on in-depth interviews with eight Māori and non-Māori clinicians working across diverse roles and services. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke (2022), identified key themes related to relational practice, systemic barriers, Māori leadership, clinical workarounds, and structural reform. Findings highlight the centrality of whakawhanaungatanga as an essential clinical practice, not an optional cultural addition. Participants described institutional constraints such as time pressures, under resourcing, and the dominance of Western clinical paradigms. Māori clinicians reported carrying the burden of cultural leadership without adequate recognition or support. Despite these challenges, practitioners demonstrated resilience and innovation, finding ways to uphold Mātauranga Māori in their work. This study contributes to the literature on Indigenous mental health and offers practical recommendations for embedding cultural values into service delivery, training, and system design. It calls for a shift beyond symbolic inclusion towards genuine power-sharing and accountability, in line with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. For mental health services to deliver equitable outcomes, Māori knowledge, leadership, and healing practices must be centred, not sidelined.