Lay summary
Wāhine Māori are disproportionately represented in negative mental health statistics. Culturally derived conceptualisations of mental health and illness should be considered in light of this. Grounded in an indigenous psychology framework, and using the meaning of ‘pūrākau’ as a guiding philosophy, the research will investigate how and in what ways anomalous psychological phenomena are interpreted by Māori and non-Māori women. Findings will challenge conceptualisations of mental health and mental illness espoused by the DSM-V classification system currently used in Aotearoa New Zealand, as non-applicable to Māori and requiring revision.