A groundbreaking Māori-led research project is set to investigate whether one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated cultural practices could also become a powerful tool for improving cardiovascular health.
Associate Professor Karen Brewer, Co-Director Māori at Pūtahi Manawa – Centre for Heart Research, says a new research initiative will examine the potential heart health benefits of kapa haka, combining Western medical science with mātauranga Māori to better understand how cultural participation contributes to wellbeing.
The study reflects growing evidence that health is influenced by much more than clinical treatment alone.
Researchers will investigate how regular participation in kapa haka affects cardiovascular fitness, physical activity, stress levels, mental wellbeing and social connectedness, while exploring how cultural identity itself contributes to positive health outcomes.
For Māori, kapa haka has long been recognised as far more than performance.
It is a living expression of whakapapa, te reo Māori, tikanga and collective identity, bringing whānau and communities together through waiata, haka, mōteatea and haka pōwhiri. It demands physical endurance, disciplined training and teamwork while strengthening cultural confidence and intergenerational connections.
According to Te Matatini, participation in kapa haka promotes physical fitness, enhances mental health and emotional resilience, strengthens cultural identity and creates a strong sense of belonging through collective participation. Those wider wellbeing benefits have prompted researchers to ask whether measurable improvements in heart health may also be occurring.
Pūtahi Manawa says the project represents a significant shift towards research that recognises Māori models of health alongside biomedical science.
Rather than viewing culture as separate from healthcare, the initiative considers whether cultural participation itself can be a protective health factor.
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and premature death in Aotearoa, with Māori experiencing significantly higher rates of heart disease, heart failure and related complications than non-Māori.
Health experts have long argued that reducing those inequities requires approaches that move beyond hospitals and clinics, supporting prevention through whānau, communities and culturally meaningful activities.
Researchers believe kapa haka may offer several potential cardiovascular benefits.
Regular rehearsals involve sustained aerobic activity, strength, coordination and balance. The discipline required for performance also encourages consistent physical activity, while the social connections developed within kapa haka groups can reduce isolation and improve mental wellbeing—both recognised contributors to better cardiovascular outcomes.
The research will also explore how participation influences stress, resilience and overall hauora, reflecting Te Whare Tapa Whā, where physical, mental, spiritual and whānau wellbeing are understood as interconnected rather than separate aspects of health.
The project is another example of Māori researchers leading investigations into solutions grounded in te ao Māori.
Increasingly, health researchers are examining how cultural practices—including kapa haka, marae-based programmes and language revitalisation—can contribute to healthier communities while strengthening identity and connection.
For Associate Professor Brewer and the research team, the study is about more than measuring heart rates or fitness levels.
It is about recognising that Māori cultural practices may hold important answers to some of the country’s biggest health challenges, while ensuring future health policy is informed by evidence that reflects Māori experiences and Māori ways of knowing.
If successful, the findings could help reshape how preventative healthcare is delivered, demonstrating that culture is not simply an important part of Māori identity—it may also be a powerful contributor to healthier hearts and healthier communities.
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