Whaia te whanaungatanga: Oranga whanau- The wellbeing of whanau- The public health issues

This publication builds on the various Mäori public health issues and priorities identified in He Matariki, Public Health Commission 1995 (see rec # 1996) . It briefly outlines some historical events that influenced the current state of whänau health in contemporary New Zealand society. It describes the health challenges that impact on individuals within whänau and on whänau as a collective. It reviews policy developments over recent years and describes the programmes that have developed to address the various cost, location, cultural and structural barriers that whänau experience in accessing health care programmes and services. Finally it examines issues associated with whänau intellectual and cultural property rights, and other associated research and information issues. In so doing it assumes:; whänau health and wellbeing is central to the health and wellbeing of Mäori; whänau have a positive role to play in improving the health and wellbeing of Mäori. Whänau sometimes mirror the stresses and strains of their interactions with wider New Zealand society. Nonetheless, the whänau structure, as a pivotal social and cultural force, remains an important source of safety and security for its members.