Why did I develop the Te Whare Mauri Ora model?  From many years of hearing the same stories from rangatahi I had worked with, continually saying that they felt judged and alienated from society. As a consequence, large numbers lacked confidence and self-belief. Many also felt ashamed of their cultural identity and heritage. This motivated me to find a way that would create positive change by helping rangatahi to see themselves in a more positive light. I believe Te Whare Mauri Ora can bridge this gap, by having strong bicultural elements, well-being and a cultural identity focus. 

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Te Whare Mauri ora is a model that interweaves positive psychology and Te Ao Māori concepts, worldviews and frameworks. It pulls on Dr Martin Seligmans PERMA V,  5 ways to wellbeing,  7 Habits of happy people, Nā Mason Durie's Te Whare Tapa Wha, holistic wellbeing, Mauri ora and my own lived experience. 

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Why positive psychology and a te ao māori approach? 

Well-being is traditionally viewed as something you think about tending to when you are suffering from poor health, illness, or struggling mentally. What we have learnt from the field of positive psychology, is that we should be more proactive and do things to support our well-being in any state of hauora. We can go from feeling okay to feeling fantastic, instead of waiting to be unwell to address our unwell-ness state. This can be achieved by creating some simple changes & habits in our day to day life. 

By incorporating a te ao Māori approach, it enables the ability for Māori, Pākehā and all New Zealanders, to develop a true sense of holistic Hauora / wellbeing, with a sense of tūrangawaewae / developing a strong cultural identity and connection to place, to Aotearoa / New Zealand.