Introducing ‘Ngaruroro’, a New Model for Understanding Māori Wellbeing

Finley Ngarangi Johnson (), Priscilla Wehi, Tia Neha, Mike Ross, Veronica Thompson, Stephanie Tibble, Natasha Tassell-Matamua, Kevin Shedlock, Ririwai Fox, Zachary Penman, Tyler Ritchie, Taylor Winter, Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle and Paul E. Jose
Additional contact information
Finley Ngarangi Johnson: School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Priscilla Wehi: Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Tia Neha: School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Mike Ross: Te Kawa a Māui—School of Māori Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Veronica Thompson: Morehu Māori Basketball, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Stephanie Tibble: Tuahuru Marae, Te Māhia 4165, New Zealand
Natasha Tassell-Matamua: School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Kevin Shedlock: School of Engineering and Computer Science, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Ririwai Fox: School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
Zachary Penman: Ministry of Social Development, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Tyler Ritchie: School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Taylor Winter: School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle: Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Paul E. Jose: School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 4, 1-23

Abstract: Indigenous peoples around the world are revitalising their ancestral beliefs, practices, and languages, including traditional understandings of health and wellbeing. In the Aotearoa (New Zealand) context, a number of ground-breaking Māori health- and wellbeing-related models have emerged, each with their own scope and applications. We sought in our qualitative studies to explore and identify several key sources of wellbeing for Māori individuals. Nine interviews were conducted with members of Māori communities to identify key themes of Māori wellbeing. We performed a Reflexive Thematic Analysis on these data and then conducted a further fifteen interviews to revise, refine, and reposition the previously generated themes. The Ngaruroro model describes wellbeing as the embodied and active process of being well in relation with one’s (1) here tāngata (social and familial ties), (2) te taiao (the environment), and (3) taonga tuku iho (cultural treasures) while doing what one can to make lifestyle choices that are conducive to the health of one’s (4) tinana (body) and (5) wairua (spirit) while cultivating a balanced (6) ngākau (inner-system), fulfilling (7) matea (core needs) and exercising your (8) mana (authority). These themes illustrate that Māori wellbeing is dynamic, interconnected, and holistic.

Keywords: M?ori; Kaupapa M?ori; M?ori wellbeing; Indigenous health; Indigenous wellbeing; qualitative research; thematic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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