Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori health model designed by leading Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie in 1984. It features as a key component in this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.
The model describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui (meeting house) with four walls. These walls represent taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing), taha tinana
(physical wellbeing) and taha whānau (family and social wellbeing). Our connection with the whenua (land) forms the foundation.
When all five of these elements are in balance, we thrive. When one or more of these is out of balance, our wellbeing is impacted.
Pegasus Health ran a week of activities for staff centred around the model and based on the MHAW guide.
Read the full September newsletter.