Lay summary
Mātauranga Moana re-imagines how Māori and Pacific knowledge systems can reshape health sector services for our Māori and Pacific peoples. This project analyses and re-thinks the service design of the Bee Healthy: Wellington Regional Dental Service due to worryingly low prevalence of caries-free (decay-free) Māori and Pacific tamariki as well as concerning ‘did not attend’ appointment rates of Māori and Pacific whānau.
Through the application of Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pasifika design methodologies this work seeks to increase whānau engagement with the service by building relationships with local community groups through a series of wānanga/talanoa to co-design solutions for enabled access; place-based design, critical story telling development, whānau centred experiences and photovoice methods will be activated to ensure all service design outcomes safely and ethically respond to the needs and aspirations of our Māori and Pacific whānau.