Hauora
This section provides a range of sources to support well-being, including academic articles, practical tools, and mindfulness exercises. Resources focus on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and are suitable for personal reflection and classroom use.
Literature & Websites
McDonald, M., Waitoki, W., & Rolleston, A. (2021)
Whakapiki wairua: Co-designing and implementing a Māori mindfulness mental health intervention in a wharekura. Mai Journal pages 5-13
Reports on a co-designed mindfulness intervention in a wharekura informed by mātauranga Māori. Highlights reduced distress and enhanced mindfulness and wellbeing.
Motu, Erani & Watson, Maioha & Ratima, Matiu & Karaka-Clarke, Te Hurinui & Stevens, Sussanah. (2023)
Tūrou Hawaiki. Morning Karakia and Waiata as Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Australian Journal of Indigenous education.
Qualitative study of voluntary karakia and waiata sessions as culturally responsive pedagogy in teacher education.
Kiyimba, N. (2025)
Developing relational consciousness in preventative healthcare. Journal of medical clinical case reports
Explores the concept of relational consciousness—connections with self, others, nature, and the divine—alongside Te Whare Tapa Whā. Promotes a paradigm shift in preventative healthcare grounded in Indigenous wisdom and quantum theory.
Toi te ora Bay of Plenty
Hapū hauora
A whānau-based health initiative developed by Toi Te Ora and informed by Māori health professionals. Designed to promote health at marae and in homes.
Victoria University
Student wellbeing resources
Stay well while studying with a range of student-led wellbeing programmes at Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing.
Karakia, Mindfulness & Breathing
All right? (2018)
Episode 1: An Overview - Treaty Talks, RNZ
Simple breathing practices developed by Rawiri Hindle, shared through the wellbeing initiative All right?
Dewes, M. 2021 The Spinoff
Tihei Mauriora: The History and Tikanga of Our Breath
Article highlighting Māori and other cultural understandings of breath as more than a physical process.
Madden-Smith, Z. (2021, Re:News
Mānawa Maiea te Atawhai
A 10-part mindfulness video series for rangatahi by The Kindness Institute, rooted in te ao Māori.
References
Kiyimba, N. (2025). Developing Relational Consciousness in Preventative Healthcare. J Medical Case Repo 7(2):1-8. DOI : https://doi.org/10.47485/2767-5416.1110
McDonald, M., Waitoki, W., & Rolleston, A. (2021). Whakapiki Wairua: Co-designing and implementing a Māori mindfulness mental health intervention in a wharekura. MAI Journal, 10(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.20507/MAIJournal.2021.10.2.1journal.mai.ac.nz+5journal.mai.ac.nz+5journal.mai.ac.nz+5
Hapū Hauora. (2024, April 17). Hapū Hauora: Supporting whānau health and wellbeing. Toi Te Ora Public Health. https://hapuhauora.health.nz/
Motu, Erani & Watson, Maioha & Ratima, Matiu & Karaka-Clarke, Te Hurinui & Stevens, Sussanah. (2023). Tūrou Hawaiki: Morning Karakia and Waiata as Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education. 52. 25. 10.55146/ajie.v52i1.326.
Victoria University of Wellington. (n.d.). Wellbeing tools and resources. https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/support/health/resources
Dewes, T. K. o. t. M. (2021, November 4). Tīhei mauriora: The history and tikanga of our breath [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVAiH1eawno
Dewes, T. K. o. t. M. (2021, November 4). Tīhei mauriora: The history and tikanga of our breath. The Spinoff. https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/04-11-2021/tihei-mauriora-the-history-and-tikanga-of-our-breath
Madden-Smith, Z. (2021, September 27). This new mindfulness series gives rangatahi the tools for survival. Re: News. https://www.renews.co.nz/this-new-mindfulness-series-gives-rangatahi-the-tools-for-survival/