The health benefits of karanga

The intent of the study is to investigate the health benefits of karanga for wahine Maori. As a tikanga (cultural norm), karanga is argued to improve health outcomes for Maori women in the domains of wairuatanga, hinengaro, tinana and whanau. Yet there is little evidence to support such claims. The objectives are to: • complete an in-depth literature review • facilitate purakau karanga with four hapu • facilitate purakau karanga with fifteen kaikaranga • write summary and final reports. The research will be driven by kaupapa Maori theory involving whanau, hapu and iwi in the management of the research process and development of a methodological design. Purakau will be the data gathering and analysis method. The primary outcome of the research is to begin to transpose the research findings into a policy framework to inform health promotion practice.