Lay summary
The restructuring of the Aotearoa New Zealand health system offers an opportunity to better cater to the spiritual care needs of the population. This research aims to develop national recommendations and an action plan for spiritual care in Aotearoa's healthcare system to provide excellent spiritual care across policy, institutional, and practice levels. The research team members come from various fields and stakeholder groups, including Māori members and external advisory groups. The project will employ a co-design multi-methods approach through three phases, including six studies to develop consensus-based recommendations and an action plan for spiritual care. This will have far-reaching implications and provide a comprehensive, research-based and Te Tiriti-aligned foundation for the provision of spiritual care in the publicly funded health system. The project will contribute to building the capacity of a highly skilled Māori workforce and develop Māori health knowledge by examining the spiritual care needs of Māori.