Lay summary
He Pito Mata is a rangahau hauora training course within the He Toa Taumata Rau research project. Using narrative inquiry, the He Toa researchers are learning about the complexities of military to civilian transition and analysing the stories of a diverse group of Māori veterans who have reported many struggles and stresses throughout the transition journey. The training course has three objectives. Firstly, to develop the research knowledge and skills of the trainee Jamie Emery, who himself is a (young) military veteran working in the field of Māori social services, and as a new and emerging researcher. Secondly, to investigate how factors associated with military training and service can contribute to the successful reintegration of rangatahi Māori veterans into civilian society and, thirdly, to enable a strengths-based reframing of military service that can uplift and support the mental health and wellbeing of rangatahi Māori veterans and their whānau throughout transition.