Maori Health Joint Venture

Through the Maori Health Joint Venture the HRC and the Ministry of Health seek to establish a flagship portfolio of collaborative research that will:

• Contribute to the development of Maori research capacity;
• Underpin key policy decisions; and
• Have the potential to contribute significantly to Maori health outcomes.

The research funded through this partnership will also provide the evidence for improving access to and effectiveness of services for Maori and supporting whanau to achieve their maximum health and wellbeing.

Several projects have been funded to date through this partnership.

Current projects
Measuring Whānau - Research methods to capture whānau realities
12 months, $200, 000
Dr Fiona Cram and Ms Vivienne Kennedy
Katoa Limited

Often research on Māori collectives such as whānau constructs an understanding of that collective from the combined data of individual members.  For example whānau members might be considered related individuals who live in the same household, with their individual characteristics adding up to a representation of 'whānau'.  The present research will work collaboratively with stakeholders (including policy writers, researchers and whānau) to search out research methods that more fully capture the fullness and interconnectedness of collectives.  These methods will be examined for their credibility and possible use within Kaupapa Māori (by Māori, for Māori) research on whānau, as well as their potential to contribute to policy related to whānau well-being and aspirations.  The resulting account of research methods will inform researchers, evaluators, government agencies and whānau themselves about ways in which the lives and realities of whānau might be well-represented by research and, in turn, in whānau-related policy.

Oral health research priorities for Māori
12 months, $257,124
Ms Bridget Robson, Dr Pauline Koopu, Ms Ruruhira Rameka, Mr Gordon Purdie, Ms Shirley Simmonds, Dr Sarah-Jane Paine, Dr Jean Gilmour, Mr Tim Rochford and Ms Cheryl Davies
University of Otago, Wellington

This project will identify research priorities in oral health for three groups: low income Māori adults, older Māori, and Māori with special needs, disabilities, or who are medically compromised.  A kaupapa Māori approach will be taken, using quantitative and qualitative enquiry.  The project will include: hui and focus groups organised by Māori health providers and community groups to determine communities issues and priorities; surveys, focus groups, and interviews with clinicians, researchers and policy groups in the oral health sector; interviews and focus groups with whānau with special needs; hospital and cancer registrations data analysis; a literature review to identify current research and gaps.  The final research priorities will be developed at a national workshop, and distributed for consultation before dissemination.  The outcome will be an oral health research agenda that contributes to the achievement of whānau ora, more effective service delivery, improved oral health outcomes for Māori and reduced inequalities.

Research priorities identified by Māori with disabilities and their whānau
14 months, $270, 000
Dr Adelaide Collins, Ms Huhana Hickey, Ms Kelly Tikao and Dr Nancy Higgins
Māori Development Research Centre

Māori with disabilities currently do not have a voice in research about them.  We propose to establish a kaupapa whānau of Māori with disabilities, their whānau and key stakeholders from the disability sector to collectively identify the research priorities that will promote improved health outcomes and tackle inequalities experienced by Māori with a disability.  Using the wananga community knowledge-building process as a model, we will circulate initial information from a literature review and 2006 Census data analysis to the kaupapa whānau, hold a wananga to share and evaluate our collective knowledge, circulate a draft report of findings among the kaupapa whānau for comment and produce a final report to share with the kaupapa whānau and clients at the end of the project.  The expected outcome is to produce information that will help to inform the Ministry's and HRC's health and disability policies and strategic plans.


Completed projects
Māori Consumer Use and Experience of Health and Disability and ACC services
24 months, $650, 000
Dr Peter Jansen, Dr David Jansen and Dr Rees Tapsell
Mauri Ora Associates Limited

Māori health inequalities relate, in part, to poor access to existing health services. This research aimed to understand the expectations, preferences and experiences of Māori consumers of health and disability services that prevent the optimal use of services, through analysing existing information on health service use and surveying Māori consumers.  Click here for a link to the final report.

An evaluation project examining Māori health and disability workforce issues
12 months, $120, 000
Associate Professor Mihi Ratima, Mr Kris MacDonald and Ms Cathrine Waetford
AUT University

This research evaluated the Māori Health Scholarship Programme (MHSP), including an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the programme and its overall impact on the Māori health and disability workforce (MHDW).

Participation and Retention issues in the Māori Health and Disability Workforce
15 months, $369, 896
Associate Professor Mihi Ratima, Dr Clive Aspin, Mr Utiku Potaka, Dr Mere Kēpa, Mr Nicholas Garrett and Ms Rachel Brown
AUT University

This research identified what attracts and discourages Māori from entering into the health science professions and explore retention issues facing the Māori health and disability workforce (MHDW) as a basis for evidence-based policy and interventions to strengthen the MHDW.


HRC Contact:
Fiona Kenning
Email: fkenning@hrc.govt.nz

 

Last Updated : 24 November 2009 11:48:10.
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