Description
The “Ngā Kōmata-o-te-Rangi: Hauora Hinengaro Māori Mental Health and Addiction Hui” was a tenacious call to Māori to take a proactive stance for the mental health and wellness of our Māori people, ngā mana whenua o Aotearoa. The call to hui focused on realising a vision of –
Oranga Tangata, Oranga Whānau, Oranga Taiao, Oranga Māori.
Te Rōpu Tautoko ki Waikato issued the call, and from January 2019, led the planning of Ngā Kōmata o te Rangi inspired by Te Tongi a Te Puea Herangi –
Mehemea ka moemoeā ahau, ko ahau anake. Mehemea ka moemoeā tātou, ka taea e tātou. If I dream alone, only I benefit. If we all dream together, we can all succeed together.
The Government’s disappointing findings, last year, following their commissioned Inquiry into New Zealand’s Mental Health systems, was another motivating factor to hui together. That inquiry invited the public to share their experiences, aspirations and future hopes for mental health and wellbeing to 2030 and beyond. Many submissions showcased the failings of New Zealand’s mental health systems for our people, thereby urging the need for radical change and different solutions. And yet, the submissions and voices of Māori were subordinated in priority, and virtually lost in the quagmire and noise of the wider populace. We know, as Māori, we have our own effective models and solutions for realising Oranga Māori. They are enriched with Matauranga Māori, and by such concepts as Pae Ora, Oranga Tangata, Oranga Whānau, and Oranga Taiao. Our models and solutions are anchored in te Tiriti o Waitangi, and so require engagement and the practice of genuine partnerships and participation by our Tiriti partner.