Lay summary
Previous research from our team has revealed significant disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of ngā māuiui kai (eating disorders) for Māori. This kaupapa Māori and implementation science-informed study aims to improve healthcare provision and outcomes for Māori with ngā māuiui kai by addressing the need for culturally responsive assessment/screening tools, improving clinician awareness, and bridging access to treatment. The four-phased Māori-led approach will build on our prior work to establish foundational awareness of the ngā māuiui kai landscape, analyse national policy and data to identify healthcare barriers, co-design three kaupapa Māori-grounded toolkits for system accountability, sector capacity, and culturally safe assessment, and pilot and refine the toolkits in both kaupapa Māori and mainstream services to assess usability and acceptability for national uptake and dissemination. The study aims to validate Māori worldviews in the treatment of ngā mauiui kai in order to significantly reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately achieve equitable health outcomes for Māori.