Lay summary
Optimal health and wellbeing for Māori involves being connected to tūrangawaewae (ancestral home), whenua (ancestral land), and hapū. Colonisation has disconnected many hapū and disrupted the organisation of hapū. Generations have lost knowledge and values that are part of cultural identity and belonging. Reconnection to hapū is essential for hapū development and thriving future generations. The process of reconnection must be led by hapū. This development project seeks to strengthen Ngā Hapū o Te Ahuahu, uphold mana motuhake (self-determination), and exercise rangatiratanga (authority). Strengths, experiences, aspirations, and resources of hapū members will be identified and utilised as strategies for (re)connecting to Ngā Hapū o Te Ahuahu. The outcome of this development project is a hapū-led and hapū-centred project plan for (re)connecting hapū members with their tūrangawaewae, whakapapa, tikanga, and mātauranga-a-hapū to elevate the health and wellbeing of individuals, whānau, and hapū.