Home > Review Articles > Kaupapa Māori > Enacting policy: mapping Kaupapa Māori aspirations onto the New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy

Enacting policy: mapping Kaupapa Māori aspirations onto the New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy

Making Education Easy

From Māori Health Review Issue 122
Authors:
  • Te Rangimarie Clark M et al.
Summary:

Achieving health equity for Māori experiencing ngā māuiui kai (eating disorders) depends on sustained resourcing of Kaupapa Māori health services and clear implementation priorities, according to a study involving Purapura Whetu, a Kaupapa Māori health service in Christchurch. Insights and themes gleaned from a wānanga with eight kaimahi were mapped to the New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy, to show how Kaupapa Māori approaches can support its implementation. Six themes with 24 actionable points were identified: 1) food insecurity; 2) the impact of comorbidities; 3) whānau ora model of practice; 4) access to secondary services; 5) workforce development; and 6) culturally informed screening and assessment tools.

Comment:
This paper highlights ngā māuiui kai as an emerging and under-recognised area for hauora Māori, challenging assumptions that eating disorders are uncommon among Māori. Its use of Kaupapa Māori methodologies and kaimahi expertise provides valuable and practical insights that are largely absent from published evidence.
Reference: N Z Med J. 2026;139(1635):68-80.
Abstract
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Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.

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