Tikanga framework for improving Māori mental health and well-being : localised development and application : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology (Health Psychology endorsement), Massey University, New Zealand

Abstract

Many mental health approaches used in Aotearoa, New Zealand are predominately Global North top-down approaches and do not adhere to Te Tiriti o Waitangi because they do not have substantive consultation and collaboration with Māori. Top-down approaches risk perpetuating culturally unsafe practices that do not achieve improved mental health outcomes for Māori clients. Community-based approaches that collaborate with Māori, empower them to build upon their own cultural strengths to benefit their mental health and well-being. This master’s thesis explores what a tikanga-informed, culturally safe framework for mental health could look like from a localised perspective. There were two research aims. The first aim was to identify tikanga-informed values for improving mental health and well-being for Māori specific to Bream Bay. The second aim was to develop a localised tikanga-informed framework for improving Māori mental health and well-being, which can be used by the Bream Bay Community Support Trust (BBCST) to provide culturally safe support for their clients. This study is based on Kaupapa Māori theory and utilises a Kaupapa Māori research qualitative approach via semi-structured interviews and hui. Thirteen participants were interviewed. They were experts in mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori, and mental health or education. The study identified five tikanga-informed values that could contribute to improving the mental health and well-being of Māori in Bream Bay. These values were foundational in developing a strengths-based mental health and well-being framework, Māwhaiwhai Kaupapa. Notably, this project demonstrates how localised tikanga-based approaches can be developed collaboratively for the benefit of a community. This study contributes to new knowledge by joining the small pool of bottom-up Indigenous studies for mental health and well-being. This research is further significant because this knowledge can provide a template for other Māori health providers as a basis for developing their own tikanga models of health.