Te Ara Whakapikōranga

Abstract

Mai TE AU I TE WHĀNAU,he whakaāhua te PUNA KI TE PUNA,nā ēra hei whakamau TE TOHU O TE RANGATIRAhei HONO MAI, HONO ATU i a tātou o te AO. I am a reflection of my ancestorsKnowledge inherited and developed to potentiate livesEncapsulating pathways for leadership and sovereigntyWoven into today’s world. Te Ara Whakapikiōranga (pathway to develop and sustain wellbeing), is a cultural framework grounded in Māori knowledge, beliefs and principles. It was developed to support and inform practice for all those who work with the potential and aspirations of whānau towards improved wellbeing. This cultural framework guides the reclamation of practice wisdom inherent within whānau.Whānau are experts of their everyday lived experiences, and hold the knowledge of their stories, past and present, aspirations, issues and complex dynamics that exist between whānau members and their extended and external relationships (Eruera, 2010).The framework is founded in the belief that transformation for whānau must be informed and sustained by whānau themselves. Furthermore, under the right conditions, support and resources, whānau have potential to effect their own positive change towards wellness.This article seeks to:describe the Te Ara Whakapikiōranga framework construction process, which is itself a whānau-centred approach;outline the four wahanga of the framework: te āu i te whānau, puna ki te puna, te tohu o te rangatira, hono mai hono atu;provide examples of the framework application into practice.