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Te Reo Hāpai – The Language of Enrichment

Updating and creating Māori language used in the mental health, addiction and disability sectors.

About Te Reo Hāpai

Te Reo Hāpai is a Māori language glossary for use in the mental health, addiction and disability sectors. Te Reo Hāpai is about enriching language, including ‘words of great power’ in te reo from a strengths base and a mana enhancing Māori worldview for the benefit of tāngata whai ora.

The glossary was created by former Te Pou Paeārahi Strategic Lead Keri Opai.

Wherever possible, Te Reo Hāpai combines the lived experience of tāngata whai ora and tāngata whaikaha with clinician and practitioner input. Feedback, information and guidance has also been provided by an expert advisory panel in creating over 200 interpretations for the unique terminology used by the mental health, addiction and disability sectors. Te Reo Hāpai is by no means a comprehensive word list. More te reo research and creation in these sectors is urgently needed to continue to enhance language used. Space is available in this resource for readers to note iwi, rohe and kaumātua variations and contribute to future growth of Te Reo Hāpai – The Language of Enrichment.

Te Reo Hāpai online

Te Reo Hāpai is now available online.

Te Reo Hāpai website launch

Watch a recording of the live-streamed launch of Te Reo Hāpai online

Recognition and award

Keri Opai won a The MHS Award in the 2018 Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand in recognition of his contribution to excellence, innovation and best practice in mental health services, for the creation of Te Reo Hāpai.

Keri Opai holds his 2018 Mental Health Service Award standing with Julia Gillard and Robyn Shearer.

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