Lay summary
Much of the ill health and early death suffered by Maori is preventable, and therefore there is an important role for Maori health promotion. However, a major challenge for Maori health promotion is how to initiate positive intergenerational health outcomes that are driven and sustained by communities. The main purpose of this project is to investigate the potential of Maori identity-based community development (i.e. culturally-based action to strengthen localised Maori communities) to contribute to meeting the goals of Maori health promotion in a sustainable way. That is, to explore the core characteristics of this approach and how it may enable communities themselves to support the transmission of positive health practices and outcomes from generation to generation. Findings from this research will inform Maori health promotion policy, funding and service delivery in communities and has the potential to make a substantial contribution to sustainably improving long-term Maori health outcomes and reducing inequalities. The research involves close examination of five identity-based Maori community development health promotion interventions and 10 expert stakeholder interviews. Research methods will include literature review, direct observation, informant interviews, document review and archival data review.