Lay summary
The kaupapa is to investigate psychological resilience factors among personal trainers/coaches/community leaders (kaiwhakaako) who are Māori and work closely with Māori in an exercise-related capacity. We will explore the role of kaiwhakaako in 'informal' psychological healing and emotional management provided through physical activity and life coaching. Additionally, we explore how kaiwhakaako manage risk and psychological distress among their clients and discuss the connections between health promotion, preventative action, reporting, accountability and harm reduction. The implications of the research aspire to: 1) illuminate the value of kaiwhakaako as allied health professionals, 2) recognise the barriers and pathways towards hauora using exercise coaching and 3) identify potential funding needs to a) upskill kaiwhakaako in the mental health system, b) make hiring kaiwhakaako a more accessible pathway to improve hauora hinengaro. We will use quantitative (psychometric tests, survey data) and qualitative (semistructured interviews) measures through a Kaupapa Māori approach.