In the past, when people would think of health, they would see it as a physical state of being. As such, when a person looked fine physically, they were seen as healthy. But that notion has been changing over the years. More studies have shown that health is not just physical. In fact, for a person to be healthy, they have to pay attention to other health aspects, including their spiritual, social, and emotional well-being. And while this might seem like a revelation to Western medicine, it's not news to Māori communities. They have been practicing Hauora for centuries and know that this is exactly what people need to lead a healthy, all-rounded life. Read on to find out why.
The Essence of this Site
People have slowly realized that most lifestyle diseases are preventable. And it's not just about exercising and eating right. Instead, it is all about caring for all aspects of health, including spiritual well-being. But as this takes place, the Māori communities, who have often been sidelined when it comes to healthcare, have slowly been losing touch with their roots in Hauora, a health philosophy that is akin to what the world is now normalizing. This site seeks to prevent this loss by offering more information on how Hauora works, where Māori communities can access this type of healthcare, and how they can keep these traditions alive. Through these measures, we can help these communities connect with their roots so that they can become more resilient, not just as individuals, but also as a society.
How Does Hauora Affect Wellbeing?
For a person to be truly healthy, they need to be taking care of themselves both internally and externally. That is what constitutes true health. But just how do these aspects show up?
- Physically. People are not wrong when they look at physique as a measure of health. After all, a strong body is a healthy body. As such, Hauora teaches people how to take care of their bodies so that they can be more resilient. Approaches include following a healthy diet, accessing healthcare when one is sick, and engaging in physical activities. If you look at the way of living in Māori communities, you will see an emphasis on these activities, including farming traditional healthy foods, which the community enjoys together.
- Mentally and emotionally. It's quite easy to appear to be healthy from the outside, yet a person has mental or emotional struggles. And in the world we live in, it's quite easy to get overwhelmed by challenges that other people cannot see, especially when we have not addressed our past experiences. Hauora helps people step back from what's bothering them, take time to understand the challenges and what they can do about them, and figure out simple yet practical ways to get past these obstacles. And the more that people do this, the more confident they feel about whatever lies in the future.
- Socially. Humans are social beings, and enough studies have shown that when we feel connected to others, we are much happier. It's all about feeling like we belong, which is something that Hauora cultivates. By emphasizing the need for community, Māori culture teaches people how to think beyond themselves. People learn how to share items, care for each other's children like their own, offer support to the needy, and be there for other people. In so doing, they strengthen the same communities that also provide them with support, making them stronger.
- Spiritually. People who believe in something bigger than themselves often have an easier time navigating their identities as well as their purposes on earth. And Hauora reminds people to reconnect with their beliefs and values as they go about their daily lives.
These pillars encompass Hauora, a school of thought that is now shaping health practices across the world. Our site covers each of these aspects in more detail, enabling you to understand how you, too, can improve your health through these approaches.
Understanding Whānau & Hapū Support
A highly functioning society is key to supporting individuals. And that's why Hauora pays particular attention to the Whānau (family) and Hapū (sub-tribe) as these are the support networks that make up the larger community. The school of thought follows that when a family has access to key resources, it remains strong and healthy, which is why the following support is important.
- Whānau Ora Navigators (Kaiārahi). These professionals come in to help families come up with goals. But that's not all. They also guide them on where they can find the resources they need to achieve these goals. With their help, many families are able to work through life's challenges and come out on top. In some cases, these professionals can also offer financial support to families in need.
- Hapū and Iwi (Tribal) Support. Tribes look out for their members by offering them various types of support, from food to shelter, housing, health, training, and education. When families need any of these resources, they contact their local iwi authorities, who then point them in the direction of these forms of support.
- Marae services. The marae are Māori meeting grounds which serve as locations for various community events, including health clinics, training workshops, and fun community events. Families and individuals can attend these events for support.
Our guides teach you where to find these and other forms of support, including how you can get in touch with local Māori support providers through the help of Te Puni Kōkiri.
Exploring Tikanga and Mātauranga
Have you ever wondered how Māori communities have managed to keep their ties intact? It comes down to Tikanga and Mātauranga. Tikanga focuses on the accepted practices and values in the community. In fact, tika refers to what is 'right' and as such, tikanga teaches people how to behave correctly within the community. With practices like hospitality and sacredness in tow, it's quite easy for people to know what's expected of them at all times. Mātauranga, on the other hand, refers to the knowledge that the communities pass down from one generation to the next through language, songs, stories, chants, proverbs, and family trees. It's a knowledge goldmine that keeps growing with each generation, and our guides walk you through the changes over the years till now.
