Rangatiratanga: Māori Responses to the Impacts of Covid-19
Tracks
Boetdoemba (Sea Eagle)
| Monday, October 30, 2023 |
| 4:35 PM - 4:55 PM |
Overview
Maraea Johns, Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission in Aotearoa
Speaker
Mrs Maraea Johns
Kaitohu Māori | Director Māori Health, Te Hiringa Mahara
Te Hiringa Mahara | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
Rangatiratanga: Māori Responses to the impacts of COVID-19
Abstract
Te Hiringa Mahara – Aotearoa New Zealand’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission – has published a series of short reports on wellbeing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa. In its May 2023 paper, Te Hiringa Mahara explored how exercising rangatiratanga has protected and supported the wellbeing of Māori, and their wider communities.
Rangatiratanga refers to Māori leadership, Māori self-determination, sovereignty, independence, and autonomy. It is exercised at a very practical level by whānau, hapū, iwi and communities. By meeting identified needs for communities, rangatiratanga contributes to a range of wellbeing outcomes; and it is also a collective element of wellbeing in its own right for many Māori.
Māori have demonstrated this knowledge and practice of rangatiratanga throughout history, and it is reflected in ancient stories (pūrakau) through to the present time. For example, the devastating impact of the 1918 influenza epidemic, and Māori responses to it, informed many Māori responses to COVID-19 in Aotearoa.
In presenting this report, Te Hiringa Mahara will:
• Show how Māori knowledge and expertise shaped collective responses to the pandemic
• Highlight a range of practical whānau, hapū, iwi and community responses that made a significant difference, and their impacts on oranga Hauora (wellbeing);
• Identify ways that learning from the pandemic, and supporting rangatiratanga can support greater wellbeing outcomes for Māori and the wider population.
About Te Hiringa Mahara
Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, is a kaitiaki (guardian) of mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand, and an independent Crown entity at arms-length from the government of the day.
We have made a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori and whānau. This is front and centre of who we are and what we do.
Rangatiratanga refers to Māori leadership, Māori self-determination, sovereignty, independence, and autonomy. It is exercised at a very practical level by whānau, hapū, iwi and communities. By meeting identified needs for communities, rangatiratanga contributes to a range of wellbeing outcomes; and it is also a collective element of wellbeing in its own right for many Māori.
Māori have demonstrated this knowledge and practice of rangatiratanga throughout history, and it is reflected in ancient stories (pūrakau) through to the present time. For example, the devastating impact of the 1918 influenza epidemic, and Māori responses to it, informed many Māori responses to COVID-19 in Aotearoa.
In presenting this report, Te Hiringa Mahara will:
• Show how Māori knowledge and expertise shaped collective responses to the pandemic
• Highlight a range of practical whānau, hapū, iwi and community responses that made a significant difference, and their impacts on oranga Hauora (wellbeing);
• Identify ways that learning from the pandemic, and supporting rangatiratanga can support greater wellbeing outcomes for Māori and the wider population.
About Te Hiringa Mahara
Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, is a kaitiaki (guardian) of mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand, and an independent Crown entity at arms-length from the government of the day.
We have made a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori and whānau. This is front and centre of who we are and what we do.
Biography
Ko Maungapohatu te maunga
Ko Tauranga te awa
Ko Ngāti Rere te hapū taketake
Ko Te Waimana Kaaku te whaarua
Ko Rahiri o te rangi te whare tipuna
Ko Te Urewera te ūkaipō
Ko Ngai Tūhoe te iwi
Ko Turuwhenua rāua ko Rakuraku ngā whānau
Ko Maraea Johns Turuwhenua ahau
Maraea is Te Hiringa Mahara Director Māori Health. Her role partners with the Chief Executive and Leadership team to provide strategic and operational advice and direction that reflects the responsibilities and commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Maraea has a grounded understanding working with (and as a member of) whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori communities. Years of contributing to hapu development, Māori mental health, oranga hauora wellbeing, te reo Māori, te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori, Maraea embraces all these ‘taonga tukuiho’ as lifelong pursuits for her continuous learning.
