enhancing food security and physical activity for maori, pacific and ...

Enhancing Food Security and Physical Activity for Māori, Pacific and Low-income PeoplesThere is general consensus from key informants and many in the Māori public healthand physical activity arenas that resourcing for Māori physical activity favours traditionalactivities. While it is important that such resourcing is carried on and increased, it isimportant to note that many Māori are partaking in modern forms of activity. Hence, it isimportant that Māori providers are given adequate resourcing to allow the provision ofmodern activities which can be delivered following traditional philosophies such astikanga to help more Māori to be physically active.Tikanga is used throughout New Zealand to encourage Māori participation in physicalactivity. Despite an absence of empirical evidence, common sense and cultural learningsuggest that there is considerable potential to enhance Māori participation in physicalactivity through the inclusion of tikanga in both traditional and modern physical activityprogrammes. Such initiatives appear feasible, sustainable (with appropriate funding),likely to positively contribute to equity for Māori, have more positive side-effects thannegative and be acceptable to Māori if undertaken with due care.RecommendationsIt is recommended that:• Funding is made available for traditional and modern forms of physical activityprogrammes that use tikanga and that these programmes are evaluated in orderto build an evidence base.• Funding is allocated to research into the use of tikanga in physical activityprogrammes and how this may improve adherence to traditional and model formsof physical activity.• Funding is provided for training of the Māori physical activity workforce on tikangaand its application within activity programmes. This is likely to requirepartnership with tertiary providers to develop training capacity.• A review is undertaken of tikanga use within mainstream physical activityprogrammes to ensure tikanga is delivered appropriately. Investigate ways forMāori to lead development of such programmes.References1. SPARC, Sport, recreation and physical activity participation among New Zealandadults: key results of the 2007/2008 Active New Zealand Survey. 2008, SPARC:Wellington.2. New Zealand. Ministry of Health., Healthy Eating, Healthy Action: a background2003 Oranga kai, Oranga Pumau. 2003, Wellington: Ministry of Health. iii, 75 p.3. Russell, D.G., et al., NZ Food, NZ People: Key results of the 1997 NationalNutrition Survey. 1999, Wellington, N.Z.: Ministry of Health. viii, 268 p.4. Parnell, W. and New Zealand. Ministry of Health., NZ Food NZ Children: Keyresults of the 2002 national children's nutrition survey. 2003, Wellington: Ministryof Health. xxii, 267 p.5. Robson, B., R. Harris, and Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare., Hauora,Māori Standards of Health. IV a study of the years, 2000-2005. 2007, Te RōpūRangahau Hauora A Eru Pōmare: Wellington, N.Z. p. 1 electronic document (xii,273 p.).6. Durie, M., Whaiora : Māori health development. 1994, Auckland, N.Z: OxfordUniversity Press. viii, p. 238.191