Tēnei Te Pō, Nau Mai Te Ao
“Sometimes people feel like they are in a dark space. Sometimes what’s needed is some light.” – Darryl, Mataora (AOD Practitioner)
As a kaupapa Māori health and well-being provider working within Western models of care, we face the continual challenge of how to deliver our services in a way that is uniquely Māori and creates a safe space for whānau (people) that is supported by our language and principles. And, in turn, uplifting the well-being of Māori in a world where they are over-represented in poor-health statistics. How can we do things differently?
In the words of the late great Moana Jackson, “Change requires imagination.” If we are to make meaningful change for our people, we need to think outside the box.
Te Hīnātore – the glimmer of light
Mataora (AOD Practitioner) Darryl and Whānau Support Worker Tash have indigenised the way they deliver their AOD (alcohol and other drugs) support group: moving away from clinical models and bringing a more holistic approach that incorporates te ao Māori (Māori worldview).
They draw on a Mahi a Atua framework of using pūrākau – the creation narratives of our atua (Māori gods) – as a way for whānau to connect and resonate with the many atua and how each of them navigated distress and moments of darkness.
Darryl and Tash have taken inspiration for the name of their wānanga series from the story of the children of Ranginui and Papatūānuku (the sky father and earth mother).
Trapped in the unending darkness of their parents’ loving embrace, ‘Te Hīnātore’ was the first glimmer of light that offered hope of change and opened the floodgate to more light, more understanding, a way out of the restricted space.
Change talk
Darryl asserts that our people are the experts of their own journey, “We all have life experience and we all know how drugs and alcohol can impact on our lives … As an individual, what is it we need to change?”
When ready, whānau are welcomed into this space of safety and no judgement because they want to make a change, to move out of that space of restriction.
The group wānanga setting offers a range of perspectives, experiences and ideas.
The creation stories, and other pūrākau, spark conversation, offer solutions, open the door of opportunity, and encourage collective problem solving.
In te ao Māori, many of our beliefs and values come from pūrākau – the creation narratives of our atua. This wānanga reminds our people that their stories are important, that their emotions have whakapapa (ancestry), and that together they can support each other to make the deliberate and intentional change that is needed in their lives.
Tēnei te pō, nau mai te ao – this is the dark, welcome the light.
If you or a whānau member are in distress, tēnā whakapā mai. Give our mental health and addictions team a call on 0508 111 555. Our immediate response hotline is available Monday-Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm.
To learn more about our ‘Te Hīnātore’ small group wānanga, call 0508 835 676 – option 3, or email: darryl.maxwell@korowai.co.nz
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