Kōkiritia i roto i te kotahitanga, kia Mataora te tū

Collectively we will build a better life

Collective Impact 

Throughout Māori history, numerous examples exist of Māori rangatiratanga organising collective action around a shared vision to address social, cultural and health disparities.  These actions often reached beyond the traditional boundaries or limitations of legislation, policy, or procurement. 

Early in the 20th century, Dr Māui Pomare and Dr Peter Buck (Te Rangi Hīroa) worked with iwi and iwi leaders to address the rapid decline in the Māori population due to a range of health, social and environmental concerns.

The initiative utilised “Māori networks and approaches”, public health and health promotion approaches, as well as political lobbying. The initiative would eventually contribute significantly to the eventual recovery of the Māori population.

This collective approach to growing and nurturing local iwi capability, capacity and community leadership would continue well into the 20th Century under the auspices of Te Puea, Ratana and the Māori Women’s Welfare and Health Leagues.

More recent examples of Māori-led collective initiatives include the Māori cultural revival, kōhanga (pre-school Māori language nests) and kura kaupapa movement (secondary school Māori language immersion programmes), the establishment of Kaupapa Māori Health and Social Service Providers, the recognition and validation of Kaupapa Māori approaches and the establishment of Whānau Ora.

Te Rau Ora is a keen supporter of collective action to achieve social change.  This is reflected in our work in suicide prevention, mental health, addictions, lived experience and our drive to eliminate racism and discrimination through the health and social sectors.