Kaupapa Māori Solutions: Introducing Taurima Te Marae

We proudly introduce Taurima Te Marae – the name given to the Kaupapa Māori health services approach, designed for te waka rohe o Tainui (waka rohe of Tainui). This is the first of our Kaupapa Māori Solutions which has been collaboratively designed and will now commence a 12-month test phase, starting in February 2024.

Te waka rohe o Tainui (inclusive of Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa and Hauraki) was the first region in which we set out to partner kiritaki, whānau and Māori providers, to design Kaupapa Māori Solutions. In 2021, we commissioned a panel to explore how hauora (health) services could best support kiritaki and whānau with complex and serious injuries, and a high level of need.

With the design completed, we’ve been supporting the partnership to prepare for testing. This crucial phase will be undertaken by panel members ĀKI Innovation, Te Ahi Kaa and Mana Ātea who will deliver culturally-grounded support to 25 kiritaki Māori and their whānau. A kiritaki and whānau-led governance group will enable continued partnering and oversee monitoring and evaluation of the test.

Following the evaluation, the service will broaden to include support for all kiritaki and whānau in the rohe who have a complex physical or mental injury, including people who have experienced injuries as a result of sexual violence. Further local providers will be invited to contract to enable the service to expand. 

The point of difference

Taurima Te Marae is grounded in Tainuitanga, cloaked by powerful tongikura (Tainui ways of doing and being) and seeks to better meet the needs of our kiritaki and whānau in this rohe with complex injuries. To realise this, Taurima Te Marae encompasses engagement with whānau, as well as enabling kiritaki and whānau-led governance and evaluation.

Through Taurima Te Marae, kiritaki and their whānau will engage with a Manuao who will walk alongside them, manaaki (support) and provide culturally grounded support as they journey through the four stages within Taurima Te Marae: 

• Tapu (early stages of connecting)
• Kōrero Tuku Iho (establishing relationships, goals and pathways)
• Āhurutanga (connecting with other providers and services)
• Whakanoa (reaching states of rangatiratanga and mana motuhake)

Our approach 

Our approach to the design of Taurima Te Marae seeks to ensure that our services are not only effective but also culturally appropriate and responsive to the unique needs of the hapori (communities) we serve.

We anticipate that throughout their journey, kiritaki and whānau will benefit significantly from being supported and receiving care that affirms their oranga (wellbeing), and helps them to reclaim their rangatiratanga, mana motuhake and mana Māori motuhake.

We also anticipate that the learnings we will gather through our kiritaki and whānau-led governance evaluation will support adaption to current systems and the growth of kaupapa Māori responses, that can be kiritaki and whānau-led.

More to come

Design of kaupapa Māori injury prevention initiatives has been included in subsequent Kaupapa Māori Solutions rohe. This component will be considered for te waka rohe o Tainui in future. 

Design is also progressing in Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Tai Tokerau (Tranche 2 rohe), and engagement in further rohe has commenced in preparation for Tranche 3. 

We’re grateful to our internal and external partners for their continued support as we work towards creating a more responsive and effective support system for those who depend on us.

If you would like further details, you can contact our team at kmhs@acc.co.nz