Lay summary
Mokopuna are taonga tuku iho (ancestral treasure). With our Kaupapa Māori partner, Te Hou Ora Whānau Services, we will generate an evidence-base for effective mātauranga Māori-based preventive models of care (pregnancy through early childhood). 'He Pā Harakeke' directly impacts Government targets (mental health and addiction, childhood immunisations). We will use our maramataka-based theory of change tool, ‘Te Ao Mārama,’ to measure outcomes as mokopuna and whānau progress through phases of improved health and cultural wellbeing. Using strengths-based cultural wellbeing indicators and StatsNZ Integrated Data Infrastructure, we will quantify impacts across multiple age bands for parent/caregiver and mokopuna (0-6 years) dyads against matched national comparison groups. Cost-modelling will examine return on investment including downstream savings in health and other sector utilisation. Our moemoeā (dream) is a future where mokopuna and whānau are deeply grounded in whakapapa, and where cultural identity and belonging, and health and vitality are intergenerational.