As we have seen, the concept of wellbeing means different things to different people. Similarly, different cultures place differing values on aspects of wellbeing. Manatū Taonga|the Ministry for Culture & Heritage states that cultural wellbeing is “the vitality that communities and individuals enjoy through participation in recreation, creative and cultural activities; and the freedom to retain, interpret and express their arts, history, heritage and traditions”. Given that Aotearoa|New Zealand is a multi-cultural society, it can be expected that different communities value aspects of wellbeing differently. Interestingly, the Ministry does not impose any specific definitions of wellbeing, leaving it up to local councils to interpret what it means for their communities. Their advice to councils is to “seek out particular groups, such as ethnic groups, youth and older people…as a means of more accurately reflecting upon the cultural diversity of their areas”
Māori perspectives on wellbeing embed health and wellbeing in a wider social and cultural context. They are holistic approaches which emphasise the importance of both the physical being and the spiritual being. The Ministry of Health describes three models which describe a Māori approach to health and wellbeing: (Māori Health Models, n.d.)
- Te Whare Tapa Whā
- Te Wheke
- Te Pae Māhutonga
Māori wellbeing models are integral to early childhood education in Aotearoa|New Zealand and form a key part of the Mana Atua|Wellbeing strand of te Whāriki: “kaiako should have an understanding of Māori approaches to health and wellbeing and how these are applied in practice. Models such as Te Whare Tapa Whā emphasise the importance of te taha wairua to holistic health” (Ministry of Education, n.d.).
The te Tiriti o Waitangi|Treaty of Waitangi principle of partnership also requires that early childhood education practitioners work in partnership with Māori whānau and communities to include traditional cultural practices and customs, and that these are embedded within the curriculum.
Hauora and Te Whare Tapa Whā
He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waioraTe Kotahi Research Institute
Hauora is the Māori philosophy of wellbeing, made up of four dimensions (physical, mental, family and spiritual). Professor Sir Mason Durie developed the “Te Whare Tapa Whā” model in 1982 which depicts the concept of hauora by relating its four abstract dimensions to the four walls of a whare. Just as a whare needs four walls for strength and symmetry we also need all four wellbeing dimensions for stability and balance. (Hauora, 2021) The four walls of the whare are built upon and grounded by whenua/the land (Te Whare Tapa Whā and Wellbeing|Healthify, 2022).
Looking after your Hauora
Watch this 2-part video set “Looking after your Hauora”. Part 2 was made for the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, which was a very stressful time for many people and shows ways to promote wellbeing which are useful for any time, lockdown or not.
Watch
Looking after your Hauora|Part 1
Brayden, Allenzo and Rory explore the physical and spiritual aspects of our Hauora and give us some good ideas on how to look after your well-being.
Expected Duration: 4:08 minutes
Watch
Looking after your Hauora|Part 2
Brayden, Tamatea and Jannah explore the mental-emotional and social aspects of our Hauora and give us some good ideas on how to look after your well-being.
Expected Duration: 3:43 minutes
The four dimensions of hauora:
The physical body, its growth and development, the ways it moves and ways to care for it. For positive maintenance of taha tinana it is important to be physically active, eat a healthy diet, get quality rest and sleep and avoid harmful substances such as alcohol and drugs.
Taha hinengaro is concerned with the mental and psychological wellbeing of a person; how they feel, think and communicate. It is connected to the heart, mind and conscience, and when strong, allows a person to seek support from whanau and other support networks when needed. Ways to improve taha hinengaro include physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption and a good diet. (Te Whare Tapa Whā and Wellbeing|Healthify, 2022). Stress can become a negative factor for mental wellbeing if not managed. Some ways to manage stress include:
- being organised and focused to avoid feeling overwhelmed
- taking short breaks when possible; standing and walking around the room or a few minutes outside
- breathing techniques and practicing mindfulness
- physical exercise
- getting plenty of sleep
- social connection with other people
- asking for help and support when needed
Spiritual health means different things to different people and is not easy to define. It can be described as the “non-physical” part of a person; the seat of their emotions, their character or their soul. It does not always have a religious dimension but is a part of the human experience (‘Themes of Spirituality,’ n.d.). It can also be described as “the search for meaning and purpose in life, personal identity and self-awareness” (Taha Wairua, n.d.).
For Māori, wairua is an important aspect of health and wellbeing. It describes the connection between a person and other people and with the outside world in general. Spiritual health has been recognised as beneficial to building psychological strength and fortitude, for example in how a person reacts to setbacks and coping with crises or how a person embraces positive opportunities for success.
Common Themes of Spirituality
- A sense of purpose
- A sense of “connectedness” – to self, others, nature or a place
- A quest for wholeness
- A search for hope or harmony
- A belief in a higher being or beings
- The sense that there is more to life than the material or practical aspects of life.
- Those activities that give meaning and value to people’s lives.
(‘Themes of Spirituality’, n.d.)
Taha whānau is about a person’s extended relationships, from immediate family to friends, colleagues and community. It describes a feeling of belonging and who they care about in their lives. It is about more than just immediate relatives, but includes colleagues, friends, community and the people you care about. Developing taha whānau by doing things together and for each other benefits the person and their whānau and improves wellbeing.
Watch the following videos for suggestions on ways to improve lifestyle choices to improve taha hinengaro.
Watch
How to manage your mood with food | 8 tips
Tips to help you explore the relationship between what you eat and how you feel. Improving your diet can help give you:
positive feelings, clearer thinking, more energy, calmer moods
Expected Duration: 3:23 minutes
Post Watch Task: List some ways you can improve your Hauora in your personal life or your professional life.
Watch
Tips for Managing Stress
Tips to help manage stress
Expected Duration: 2:56 minutes
Post Watch Task: List some ways you can improve your Hauora in your personal life or your professional life.
Activity
Download and read the “Mental Health Facilitation Guide” from healthandsafety.govt.nz.
- What does the term “spiritual wellbeing” mean to you? Share your thoughts on the discussion forum and comment on what your classmates say.
Check out the Mental Health Foundation website for resources, ideas and activities to help with mental health awareness.
Te Wheke
![[ADD IMAGE'S ALT TEXT]](/sites/default/files/Te%20Wheke_1.jpg)
Whilst Te Whare Tapa Whā is the model specifically referenced by te Whāriki, several other Māori models of wellbeing exist and are based on similar concepts. One example is Te Wheke (the octopus) which also illustrates the Māori perspective on holistic wellbeing and is used to define family health. In this model, the head of the octopus represents the wellbeing of the entire whānau, and the eight tentacles each represent a different aspect of wellbeing. The te wheke model was developed by Rose Pere.
The wheke as a whole represents waiora (the total wellbeing of the individual and the family):
- Te whānau
- Waiora
- Hinengaro – the mind
- Taha tinana – physical wellbeing
- Whanaungatanga – extended family
- Mauri – life force in people and objects
- Mana ake – unique identity of people and objects
- Hā a koro ma, a kui ma – breath of life from forebears
- Whatumanawa – open and healthy expressions of emotion
(Manatū Hauora, 2023).
Activity
Research the te wheke model and each tentacle of the octopus. Summarise and paraphrase each aspect for your own notes.
Te Pae Mahutonga
The te Pae Mahutonga (Southern Cross Star Constellation) model brings together elements of modern health promotion. This model was also developed by Professor Sir Mason Durie, and represents four key aspects of health promotion by the four central stars of the Southern Cross:
- Mauriora (cultural identity)
- Waiora (physical environment)
- Toiora (healthy lifestyles)
- Te Oranga (participation in society)
The two pointers represent Ngā Manukura (community leadership) and te Mana Whakahaere (autonomy)
Activity
Research into what each of the four central stars and the pointers represent. Summarise all six aspects and paraphrase your research. Choose one of these aspects to post key points about to the discussion forum.
Pasifika philosophies to health and wellbeing share many ideas with Māori approaches, emphasising the connection of body, mind and spirit. Pasifika approaches aim to keep harmony and balance within oneself and with others. Here are some points which inform Pasifika philosophies of health and wellbeing.
- Holistic – there is a connection between mind, spirit and body and each is interdependent.
- Family and community – these relationships are seen as central to wellbeing
- Environment and the land – Pasifika cultures have a strong connection to, and recognise the importance of, a harmonious relationship with nature.
- Ancestors – Pasifika cultures honour their ancestors, and their understanding of wellbeing is guided by them.
- Harmony – a sense of balance and harmony within oneself and those we connect with, avoidance of extremes. This includes taking care of the physical being and the mental and emotional being.
- Respect and reciprocity – the value of mutual respect and trust in relationships and reciprocating benefits between individuals or communities. Collective wellbeing is seen as paramount.
- Traditional healing – many traditional healing practices utilise herbal remedies, physical therapy (massage etc.) and spiritual healing.
- Physical activity and nutrition – these are seen as vital parts of health and physical wellbeing.
- Cultural identity – a high value is placed on cultural identity and traditional practices and are seen as integral to wellbeing.
Watch these videos for some background on the Pasifika approaches to wellbeing.
Watch
A Pasifika Worldview
Insights into Pasifika worldviews to help you to better understand your Pasifika learners
Expected Duration: 4:33 minutes
Watch
Pacific wellbeing support
A discussion about Pacific wellbeing and how Pacific communities responded to Covid-19
Expected Duration: 2:26 minutes
Watch
Pacific values
This video explores the pan-Pacific concept of “le va” (the space in between) and how it can help foster holistic wellbeing
Expected Duration: 2:50 minutes
URL: https://tapasa.tki.org.nz/teaching-stories/where-am-i/pacific-values/pacific-values/
Activity
- After watching the videos, what similarities and differences are there between Pasifika philosophies of health and wellbeing and those of Māori?
- You will have heard the term “va” being discussed. How does this fit in with health and
wellbeing in ECE service? Post your comments to the forum. Read and respond to some of your classmates’ posts.
Fonofale Model
![[ADD IMAGE'S ALT TEXT]](/sites/default/files/Fonofale%20Model%20of%20Health.jpg)
Developed by Fuimaona Karl Pulotu-Endemann in 1984 (The Fonofale Model of Health, n.d.) as a Pacific model of health, the Fonofale model brings together values and beliefs from the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Niue and Tokelau. (Loterina, 2024)
Activity
Research the four components of the Fonofale model and explain in your own words what each part represents in terms of health and wellbeing.
- Roof – Falealuga
- Posts – Pou
- Foundation – Fa’avae
- The Cocoon
Fonua Model
The Fonua model is a Tongan framework developed by Sione Tu’itahi and has five interconnected dimensions of life which are complementary to each other. To maintain harmony, health issues need to be maintained in all dimensions. In addition, there are five levels there are four phases of Fonua:
Five Dimensions
- Sino (physical)
- ‘Atamai (mental)
- Laumalie (spiritual)
- Kainga (community)
- ‘Atakai (environmental)
Four Phases
- Kumi Fonua – search, explore, navigate new fonua
- Langa Fonua – form, build and construct
- Tauhi Fonua – maintain and sustain
- Tufunga Fonua – reform and reconstruct
(LibGuides: Preventive & Social Medicine: Indigenous Health Models, n.d.)
You’ve reached the end of this topic. Let’s go over the key points:
- Māori approaches to wellbeing
- Te Whare Tapa Whā
- Te Wheke
- Te Pae Māhutonga
- The four dimensions of hauora
- Pasifika models of wellbeing, worldview and values
