Lay summary
The kaupapa (topic) of this Explorer Grant application discusses the importance of a strong connection to the environment to ensure a flourishing future for the planet and people. What this means is shifting the idea of improving the needs of whānau (family) through a westernised approach that is people centred into a Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) approach; an environment centred approach (Heke, Rees, Swinburn, Waititi, & Stewart, 2018). When we put the health of the environment first we will reduce the negative impact that the planet is experiencing; by engaging in this process it enables us to expand on ideas of how being in tune with the environment is the key to improving health outcomes for Māori. The methods of this research is a kaupapa Māori co design approach through the delivery of wānanga (spaces of learning) to share the knowledge in a traditional setting.