These researchers explored the concept of health from both a Māori world view and occupational therapy perspectives, as a means to understand and value indigenous knowledge and promote culturally safe responsive practice. The research used Māori methodologies to protect the Māori knowledge shared in the study. The research applied 7 principles, which included respect for people, the need to be cautious, and look, listen, and speak. Throughout 2008 and 2009, the researchers collected perspectives on health and wellbeing from a total of 23 indigenous occupational therapists, other occupational therapists and indigenous health practitioners, using interviews and a questionnaire. The findings are presented as a conceptual framework, depicting a whare, a Māori meeting house, in order to show relationships between culture and health and provide a tool for informing, guiding, and evaluating practice understandings. Key concepts held by occupational therapists and Māori were spirituality, holistic views, client responsive practice, and environmental contexts. Areas of difference were the focus on occupations, the interdependence of indigenous relationships, and the place of the extended family in supporting wellness.
