Mental health distress, disorders and addictions are a serious health issue in Aotearoa, New Zealand[1]. Māori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) suffer disproportionately from mental health and addiction disorders compared to non-Māori[2]. Methamphetamine-use disorder is a highly problematic social and health issue with troublingly high rates of use in Māori particularly Māori in rural and remote communities such as Te Tairāwhiti.

Despite higher reported rates of mental health, Māori are less likely to receive healthcare services, interventions, medication, or support to treat these conditions. Inequities for Māori result from the on-going impacts of colonisation, poverty, inter-generational trauma, barriers to accessing services and a lack of culturally appropriate services1,2.

Tū Wairua is an indigenous health and wellbeing initiative aiming to address some of these inequities. Led and directed by Māori, utilising indigenous psychedelic fungi and decolonising modalities, the initiative is designed to offer an authentic alternative to existing treatments for addictions empowered by mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge), utilising taonga (treasured) species, and delivered within a Te Ao Māori (Māori world view) framework. Tū Wairua is investigating the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of administering psilocybin-assisted therapy, delivered by Māori for Māori (within a marae setting), grounded in tikanga and kawa (customary practices and values) and in connection to he wairua tapu (sacred spirits).

Alongside this the initiative is also investigating the chemical composition and optimal cultivation conditions of selected species of indigenous fungi. This intervention supports the aspirations of local Māori and is a collaboration between tribal leaders, scientists, clinicians and researchers from across Aotearoa.