Enacting policy: mapping Kaupapa Māori aspirations onto the New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy

Abstract

Aim: The prevalence of Māori experiencing ngā māuiui kai (eating disorders; NMK) is comparable to that of non-Māori. Despite this, little is known about Māori presentations within Kaupapa Māori health services. This paper uses Kaupapa Māori kaimahi expertise to describe these presentations and identify steps to strengthen access and support. Method: Informed by Kaupapa Māori methodologies and participatory action research, this co-designed study involved Purapura Whetu, a Kaupapa Māori health service in Christchurch. A wānanga convened eight kaimahi to discuss challenges, service strengths and required supports for Māori experiencing NMK. Insights and themes were mapped to the New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy to show how Kaupapa Māori approaches can support its implementation. Results: Six themes with 24 actionable points were identified. Themes were: 1) food insecurity, 2) the impact of comorbidities, 3) whānau ora model of practice, 4) access to secondary services, 5) workforce development, and 6) culturally informed screening and assessment tools. These were mapped to the strategy to highlight required actions and their operationalisation. Conclusion: While government acknowledgement of Kaupapa Māori services as a key investment area is important, these services and whānau expertise remain underused in policy and commissioning. Achieving health equity for Māori experiencing NMK depends on sustained resourcing and clear implementation priorities.