Lay summary
Asthma currently affects 26% of New Zealand children, a rate that is amongst the highest in the world. The inequalities in asthma outcomes for Maori tamariki are striking, and have increased in recent decades. Maori have significantly higher rates of hospitalisation and are receiving less preventative care. Few studies have investigated asthma issues affecting Maori and none have researched interventions specifically for Maori children. This kaupapa Maori project will investigate the effectiveness of a tailored, culturally appropriate, health literacy-based intervention using Maori nurse ‘navigators’ to support and empower whanau with asthma management. The single-blinded, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial will enrol children hospitalised with asthma in Whanganui and Wellington, and assess outcomes such as emergency department presentations, quality of life, and medication use over a 12-month period. This innovative community partnership initiative will provide evidence supporting the implementation of culturally responsive services to improve asthma outcomes for Maori children across New Zealand.