About

Since our inception in 1996, Hāpai Te Hauora has steadfastly advanced Māori public health leadership in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our vision is to foster Māori public health leadership that will bring about enduring, transformative change for future generations. We hold numerous national and regional contracts that align with our mission of Oranga Whenua and Oranga Tangata, and we are committed to supporting communities and whānau to achieve better health outcomes.

Hāpai leads kaupapa that minimises the harmful effects of gambling, alcohol, tobacco, vaping, mental well-being and drugs on all whānau. We actively promote and provide preventative care and awareness through a range of initiatives, including immunisations, vaccinations, diabetes, cervical, breast and prostate cancer; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD); and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).

Te Puna Whakamaunu – Our Research Team plays a crucial role in contributing to our evidence and experience base that helps us share the value and importance of Māori Public Health. Our aim is to innovate health research and evaluation in a way that strengthens Whānau Ora and advances Māori Health. It is important that Hāpai has evidence that is current, Aotearoa-specific, and whānau-based to inform our mahi. Having this robust evidence base ensures that the actions we take are driven by the whānau, hapū, iwi and hapori we work with.

Te Hāpai Kura

We currently have five (5) kura  that make up Te Hāpai Kura, the way in which we underatke our work to support communities and whānau achieve oranga whenua, oranga tangata. All our contracts and activities align to these kura.

Kura

The term “kura” signifies a feather that adorns the head, regarded as the most sacred part of our bodies. “Kura” often represents heirlooms passed down through whakapapa. The concept of Hāpai Kura highlights the role of Hāpai Te Hauora, recognising its position as “te hāpai ō ki muri”—the support that nurtures and protects these treasures, without being the head on which the kura is worn.

Te Kura Tangata

Te Kura Tangata emphasises  our connection with others, intrinsic value of people and relationships and likening them to the sacred kura. Just as the Kura is a treasure passed through generations, Te Kura Tangata represents the health and wellbeing of our communities, highlighting that people are our most cherished taonga.

Te Kura Manawa Taki

Te Kura Manawa Taki refers to the rhythm of our breath, affirming our fundamental right to quality air provided by Tāne, reaching back to Hine Ahuone. Tīhei Mauri Ora.

Te Kura Manawa Taki, which refers to the rhythm of our breath, connects deeply with Māori public health by affirming our fundamental right to clean, quality air, a gift from Tāne, tracing back to Hine Ahuone. This connection highlights Te Kura Manawa Taki recognises that access to clean air is a vital taonga, essential for the health and vitality of communities and our whānau

Te Kura Mokopuna

Te Kura Mokopuna reflects the deep respect Māori have for all children. This is captured in the traditional saying, ‘Mā te tamaiti te iho,’ which emphasizes that only the finest should be reserved for our children.

Te Kura Mokopuna embodies the deep respect and care that Māori hold for all mokopuna reflecting the belief that they are treasures, much like the sacred kura. This is captured in our traditional saying, “Mā te tamaiti te iho,” emphasising that only the best should be provided for our mokopuna.

Just as kura are passed down through whakapapa, our mokopuna carry forward the vitality of future generations, making their health and wellbeing a collective responsibility.

Te Kura Ihomatua

Te Kura Ihomatua speaks to the importance of mental health and well-being, reflecting our shared consciousness with our  tīpuna and is deeply intertwined with whakapapa and whanaungatanga. By nurturing the mind, we uphold our connection to our tīpuna reaffirming our right to maintain  a healthy mind.

Te Kura Whanake

Te Kura Whanake highlights the need for continuous development while remaining anchored in ancestral knowledge. For Hāpai te Hauora  this means advancing health initiatives that are embodied and premised in Te Ao Māori while innovating for future generations. Focusing on progressive, evidence-based health strategies ensures that Māori public health evolves while staying grounded in kaupapa Māori.