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He kete rauemi: Working alongside tāngata whenua

Kaimahi (health workers) can use this collection of resources to build their knowledge and skills for Working alongside tāngata whenua.

In Keeping it Real | Kia Pono te Tika, the Real Skill Working alongside tāngata whenua aims to ensure: Tāngata whai ora and whānau Māori experience respect and are supported to access options informed by te ao Māori to achieve hauora goals.

There’s something here for everyone. On this page you will find a range of free resources such as e-learning modules, videos, podcasts, guidance documents, and practical tools. You can use these resources to increase your knowledge and skills, especially the gaps identified in the Real Skills assessment tool. Weave them into your individual or team development plans.

The resources are organised below into the three levels of the framework: essential, enhanced, and leadership.

Essential level (for everyone working in health)

Working with Māori

This e-learning supports kaimahi to increase their understanding of working effectively with tāngata whai ora and whānau Māori to improve health outcomes. Approx. 50-60 mins of self-paced learning.

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Te Reo Hāpai – The language of enrichment

Keri Opai provides a collection of Māori words and terms that adequately and accurately reflect the best use of te reo Māori in the mental health, addiction and disability sectors now and into the future.

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Kaitiaki Ahurea

This is a NZQA accredited (Level 2) cultural competency micro-credential that is free to everyone with a specific interest in enhancing Māori health outcomes. It offers the opportunity to improve effective engagement for people who are working with Māori communities. Approx 30 hours of self-directed study and 20 hours of wānanga.

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Te Whare Tapa Whā

A video series featuring Sir Mason Durie that provides an overview of Te Whare Tapa Whā, a Māori health model based on a holistic view of wellness. Approx. 10 mins to view all the videos.

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Te Tiriti o Waitangi

E-learning modules for Health NZ kaimahi about the history behind our nation's founding document and the enduring relationship between the signatories. Requires a Ko Awatea LEARN account. Approx. 2 hours of self-paced learning.

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Ngā Paerewa Te Tiriti eLearning

Two e-learning modules that focus on cultural safety and the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard. The modules are available to Health NZ kaimahi. Approx. 60 mins to complete each module.

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Ao Mai te Rā video and podcast series

This video and podcast series from the Ministry of Health is hosted by Dr Hinemoa Elder with a focus on promoting anti-racism practice. 12 episodes that are approx. 30-45 mins each.

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Understanding bias in health care

Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission offers a series of videos to help kaimahi understand bias in health care. Approx. 30 mins to view all the videos.

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Māori language courses

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa offers free Māori language courses (online or in-person). Options are available for introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.

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Resources for kaimahi to share with tāngata whai ora and whānau:

Ao Maarama app

A mobile app that draws from Maramataka and Māori health frameworks to help build awareness, knowledge, and connection with the rhythms of wellbeing. Developed by Te Rau Ora, available via Google Play and Apple app store.

Manaaki Ora app

A mobile app that provides guidance and tips on how to self-help or support others who might be going through hard times or distress. Individuals and whānau can find creative, simple, and innovative activities to build wellbeing and resilience. Developed by Te Rau Ora, available via Google Play and Apple app store.

Find a Māori Provider

Te Rau Ora provides a list of Māori providers across the country.

Kaupapa Māori Access and Choice providers

The Access and Choice website provides a list of kaupapa Māori providers that people can freely access.

Enhanced level (for everyone working in mental health and addiction roles)

Talking therapies for Māori

Written guide to enhance talking therapies responsiveness to Māori (Note. Most of the guidance are still relevant, but links and resources may be outdated).

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He Manaaki Tangata: Tikanga informed guideline adapted for mental health services and acute mental health units

Te Rau Ora provides written guidance (6 pages) for mental health kaimahi about tikanga informed practice.

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Hua Oranga

A brief Māori health outcome measure focusing on areas of wellbeing that are important to Māori based on Te Whare Tapa Whā. The website (developed by Te Rau Ora) offers self-paced learning through a video demonstration, online resources, and interactive quizzes.

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Māori Therapeutic Approach: He Puna Whakaata

Free training for kaimahi with some ways to use elements of mātauranga Māori in a therapeutic context. It introduces therapeutic activities that can be used as part of broader treatment and wellness plans. Approx. 50 hours of self-directed learning and wānanga.

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Manaaki: Mana enhancing and Mana protecting practice

Free training for addiction kaimahi that promotes core Māori concepts or values in the implementation of the Substance Addiction Compulsory Assessment Treatment Act (2017). Approx. 50 hours of self-directed learning and wānanga.

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Pae Tata Pae Tawhiti

Te Rau Ora provides training in Pae Tata Pae Tawhiti, an early intervention and harm reduction framework founded on principles of mātauranga Māori. Approx. 20 hours of self-directed learning and in person workshop.

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Takitaki mai: A guide to Motivational Interviewing for Māori

Written guidance (50 pages) on motivational interviewing for kaimahi Māori working in health and social service sectors.

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Using the Hui process and Meihana model

Written guidance (11 pages) on using the Hui process and Meihana model in clinical assessment and formulation.

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Meihana method for better understanding Māori health needs

A presentation by Professor Suzanne Pitama (University of Otago) on the use of the Hui process and Meihana model. Approx. 60 mins to view.

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Leadership level (for everyone who is leading, guiding, educating and resourcing the work of others in health)

See the Arataki leadership tool and workforce planning and development webpage for information and resources to help you grow and shape the workforce to achieve service goals related to this Real Skill.

Tangata Tiriti haumi: Allies in health

In this recorded webinar (60mins), Jen Margaret from Groundwork talks about tangata Tiriti and organisational actions for upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

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The Health Equity Assessment Tool (HEAT)

HEAT is a planning tool that improves the ability of mainstream health programmes and services to promote health equity. The user guide (49 pages) includes a copy of the tool, guidance and tasks to help explore the tool in detail, and case examples.

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Recruiting Māori health infographic

Te Rau Ora provides tips in recruiting, retaining, and advancing a Māori health workforce.

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Te Rau Ora funding opportunities

Te Rau Ora Scholarships & Bursaries provide financial assistance for Māori students undertaking or completing a NZQA accredited qualification in health and wellbeing. Including the Māori Health Leadership Scholarships.

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Mā Purapura Mai Māori lived experience leadership programme

Te Rau Ora provides a leadership programme to grow, develop and strengthen the knowledge and skills of Māori lived experienced leaders. It comprises of five wānanga delivered over a five-month period.

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Hiwa-i-te-rangi Māori health leadership scholarship

The New Zealand Health Group offers a workforce development scholarship to Māori applicants who are on a pathway to making a difference for health equity outcomes.

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Principles of Māori data sovereignty

Te Mana Raraunga Māori Data Sovereignty Network provides a general overview of key Māori data sovereignty terms and principles (2 pages).

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Engaging Māori in co-design

Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission offers an online module about building supportive, trusting and mutually beneficial partnerships with Māori, and an understanding of how cultural safety is interwoven in co-design. Approx. 20 mins of self-paced learning.

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Useful readings:

Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020-2025

Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020–2025 (70 pages) sets the government’s direction for Māori health advancement, outlining a suite of objectives and priority areas to achieve high-level outcomes that will contribute to pae ora (healthy futures) for Māori.

Pae Tū: Te Rautaki Hauora Māori

Pae Tū: Hauora Māori Strategy (70 pages) guides the health system’s response to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori health equity.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi-based practice in health promotion

Written guidance (60 pages) on managing and developing Te Tiriti o Waitangi based practice. It outlines each of the articles of the Māori text of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it relates to health promotion in Aotearoa. Written by a team led by Heather Came.

Ngā Rerenga o Te Tiriti

Written guidance (30 pages) for groups and organisations within the community sector wanting to be more engaged with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Written by Jen Margaret (Groundwork).

Whiria te Muka Tangata: Anti-Racism Systems Change 

Whiria te Muka Tangata is a preliminary systems change model that provides an organisational and system-level blueprint for anti-racism action in health (30 pages). Includes an implementation guide and the Ao Mai te Rā videos and podcasts.

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