Cultural context in New Zealand: incorporating kaupapa Maori values in clinical research and practice.

ABSTRACT

We examined the importance of understanding and incorporating cultural context within Aotearoa/New Zealand when engaging in clinical research and practice. This paper reports on the qualitative findings of a mixed methods study aimed at determining what effect a cardiac risk reduction exercise and lifestyle management programme, embedded within a kaupapa Maori methodological approach, had on Maori participants. This methodology saw participants able to redevelop a western model cardiac risk reduction programme by introducing a Maori worldview. Our study revealed how the kaupapa Maori approach empowered participants to examine and evaluate not only their own health and lifestyle choices, but those of family and the wider community. Combining biomedical and kaupapa Maori components into the programme was found to benefit participants' mental, physical, spiritual and family well-being.