Story: Public health

Māori health: te whare tapa whā model (2nd of 2)

Māori health: te whare tapa whā model

Māori health expert Mason Durie developed the whare tapa whā model of health in 1982. Encapsulating a Māori view of health and wellness, it has four dimensions: taha wairua (spiritual health), taha hinengaro (mental health), taha tinana (physical health) and taha whānau (family health). Different parts of a wharenui (meeting house) represent each dimension.

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Source: Mason Durie, Whaiora: Maori health development. Auckland: Oxford University Press, 1998, pp. 68–74

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Public health - Social and ethnic inequalities', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/diagram/31387/maori-health-te-whare-tapa-wha-model (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 7 Jul 2019 with assistance from Richard Edwards