Te Māoritanga WELLBEING AND IDENTITY Kapa Haka as a Vehicle

“In short, wellbeing, te oranga, is dependent on the terms under which
people participate in society and on the confidence with which they can
access good health services, or the school of their choice, or sport and
recreation. And while access is one issue, decision making and a sense
of ownership is another.” (Durie, 1999. p. 4).
Te Oranga is about health promotion enabling people to increase their
participation in society at all levels, and is outlined by Durie as meaning;
• participation in the economy
• participation in education
• participation in employment
• participation in the knowledge society
• participation in decision making.
The prerequisites of Nga Mana Whakahaere, and Nga Manukura are
noted as important in order for health promotion initiatives to be effective.
Nga Manukura is concerned with leadership at all levels of the health
promotion workforce. Leadership for health promotion needs to reflect;
• community leadership
• health leadership
• tribal leadership
• communication
• alliances between leaders and groups.
Nga Mana Whakahaere is concerned with autonomy. “The capacity for
self governance, not only for a specific health promotional programme but more
importantly for the affairs and destinies of a group are central to notions of good
health and positive wellbeing.” (Durie, 1999, p. 6). It is to this end that the
promotion of health therefore requires the promotion of autonomy, and includes;
• control
• recognition of aspirations
• relevant processes
• sensible measures
• self governance.
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