Lay summary
Māori health research has increasingly highlighted the importance of connection to culture as an important protective factor against negative health outcomes for Māori. However, while there is a growing body of research about the importance and benefits of cultural connection, there is a far less research that considers the process of reconnection. How can those Māori who wish to reconnection be supported through that process to enable greater wellbeing? This research looks to explore this topic. This will involved four phases of research to better understand the barriers and enablers or reconnection to culture for Māori, as well as the different ways that cultural connection is expressed. It has a specific focus on Māori youth and their whānau (extended families), recognising that if Māori youth and whānau are well, then this will yield positive impacts well into the future.