Te Ao Mārama

Recruitment for the first Te Ao Mārama Panel survey opens, inviting Māori of all backgrounds to participate in shaping the future of Māori health and wellbeing research.

On 28 July 2025, full ethics approval was granted for the Te Ao Mārama Panel. The approval confirmed that the study met national and kaupapa Māori research standards.

A full ethics submission was prepared, incorporating updated documents and processes to support ongoing data collection and governance arrangements.

Detailed planning was undertaken for operational systems, survey infrastructure, and participant communications. Accessibility and inclusivity were prioritised in all aspects of design.

Consultation hui were held to gather feedback from Māori organisations, researchers, and community representatives. Input from these sessions refined the governance and policy suite for the Panel.

The team finalised foundational governance documents including the Panel Charter, Study Protocol, and Data Management Plan. These were reviewed with legal and institutional partners to ensure compliance and alignment with kaupapa Māori principles.

A comprehensive framework was drafted outlining principles for Māori data governance, secure access, and participant rights. The framework ensured that all data collected would remain under Māori control and stewardship.

Formal engagement commenced with Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Trust (TAMA) to co‑develop the panel’s governance model and kaitiakitanga framework. This partnership affirmed Māori data sovereignty and community guardianship of panel information.

Supported by Te Niwha funding, planning began to evolve Te Ao Mārama into an ongoing panel study. New workstreams were established to design governance, data management, and participant engagement systems.

Findings from the study were published in journals including Kōtuitui and the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, contributing to the evidence base on Māori health and wellbeing.

Community hui were held across the motu to present key results and acknowledge participants’ contributions. These sessions reinforced transparency and strengthened ongoing relationships with Māori communities.

Preliminary results were shared with Whaikaha, Te Aka Whai Ora, and health agencies to inform policy development and equity initiatives.

Findings revealed gaps in how mainstream definitions capture Māori experiences of disability and wellbeing, reinforcing the need for culturally relevant frameworks in national statistics.

Comprehensive data analysis commenced, examining patterns of health, wellbeing, and disability across the Māori population. Dual weighting was applied to ensure national representativeness.

Over 7,000 Māori completed the survey, establishing one of the most comprehensive Māori wellbeing datasets ever collected. The response highlighted the community’s willingness to contribute to kaupapa Māori research.

The Te Ao Mārama national survey opened across Aotearoa, inviting Māori adults to share their experiences of health, wellbeing, and disability. This was the first large‑scale probability-based Māori wellbeing survey.

Preparations began for a national rollout using a probabilistic sample drawn from the Māori electoral roll. The multimodal design (online, paper, and phone) ensured broad accessibility.

Partnerships were consolidated with Māori organisations including Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Trust and regional networks. These collaborations laid the groundwork for community engagement and dissemination.

The national Te Ao Mārama survey instrument was finalised, integrating Māori concepts of identity, health, and participation. This marked a key step toward implementing a national Māori wellbeing survey.

A co‑design wānanga with community representatives and Māori experts refined the structure and content of the national survey. Feedback from the wānanga ensured the questionnaire reflected Māori concepts of health and wellbeing.

COVID‑19 restrictions required the team to pivot to online hui and interviews. The adaptation ensured the research could continue safely and inclusively while maintaining meaningful engagement with participants.

Hui and interviews were held across Aotearoa, inviting Māori participants to share their experiences of health, disability, and wellbeing. These whakawhiti kōrero informed the design of culturally relevant survey instruments.

A Māori Advisory Rōpū was formed to guide the study’s kaupapa and provide advice on engagement with Māori communities. Their leadership ensured cultural alignment and participant trust throughout the project.

Ethical approval for the Te Ao Mārama study was granted, ensuring adherence to national standards and kaupapa Māori ethical frameworks. Te Ara Tika principles were applied to uphold cultural safety and participant wellbeing.

The Health Research Council of New Zealand awarded funding for the Te Ao Mārama study (19/147), enabling a multi‑year investigation into Māori health, wellbeing, and disability. The research, led from the University of Otago, established a strong foundation for future Māori-led population studies.