A new partnership is aiming to reshape home-based care for kaumātua by placing Māori experiences, whānau priorities and cultural needs at the centre of how services are designed and delivered.
The initiative will bring together kaumātua, whānau, researchers and care providers to better understand what older Māori need to remain safely and independently in their own homes.
Rather than applying a standard model of care, the partnership will explore how services can reflect tikanga Māori, strengthen connections with whānau and communities, and protect the mana and autonomy of kaumātua.
Home-based support can include assistance with personal care, medication, household tasks, mobility and managing long-term health conditions. However, Māori can face barriers when services do not recognise whakapapa, cultural identity, whānau involvement or different understandings of health and wellbeing.
The partnership is expected to use the lived experiences of kaumātua and their carers to identify what is working, where gaps remain and how care can be improved.
The kaupapa reflects growing recognition that culturally safe care is essential to achieving better health outcomes for Māori. It also acknowledges that many kaumātua want to remain connected to their homes, whenua, marae and wider whānau for as long as possible.
Research shows Māori often develop long-term health conditions at younger ages and are more likely to experience several conditions at the same time, increasing the need for accessible and coordinated support. New approaches will therefore need to address both clinical requirements and the wider social, spiritual and cultural dimensions of hauora.
The number of kaumātua is also projected to grow significantly over the coming decades, placing further pressure on health, disability and aged-care services. Developing effective home-care models now could reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, support whānau carers and help more kaumātua maintain their independence.
For Māori, ageing well is not simply about receiving medical treatment. It is also about maintaining mana, belonging, relationships and a meaningful connection to culture and community.
The new partnership represents an opportunity to move away from services designed for kaumātua and towards a system designed alongside them.
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