Our whakapapa

[pou tikanga Rahui Papa does a karakia in te reo Māori, translated here.]

Elevate and celebrate the gifts of the Sky Father
Elevate and celebrate the gifts of the Earth Mother
People are bound by the spiritual forces of ancestry
Uplift the Spirit! Support the Spirit!
Rise up the health of people, of family, of all.
A spirit that guides me.
Hold fast! Uphold the essence.
Bring it together!
It is complete!

Te Kohinga o ngā whakairo a tēnā, a tēnā | The coming together of minds

[pou tikanga Rahui Papa begins speaking in conversation, still in te reo Māori, translated here]

During the term of the appointments committee, known as the Steering Group, led by Sir Mason Durie, we were asked to consider and recommend appropriate names for Health New Zealand and the Māori health Authority.

In considering names, Sir Mason Durie urged the group to anchor our thinking in Te Ao Māori, imbued with its essence.

After I reached out to consult with a number of people, it was Selwyn Parata – one of the leaders of Tairawhiti – that volunteered to help, along with Moe Milne of Te Tai Tokerau. To ensure we canvassed the West, East, North and South, Hana O’Regan and Rikirangi Gage were co-opted onto the working group.

All members of the group were forthcoming with their thoughts and views and after a series of stimulating debates a narrative emerged that resonated with everyone. It was inspiring to listen to all the ideas being shared, culminating in the narrative of Tāwhaki - that ancestor that binds all of the tribes of Aotearoa together.

In the sharing of narratives of the ancestor Tāwhaki, from Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Tainui perspectives it was evident that we were united in recognition of this ancestor and that is what excites me about undertakings like these.

Te taunga mai o te korero mō Tāwhaki | Landing on the story of Tawhaki

The challenge for the group was how to weave together the name for a large organisation like Health New Zealand and a smaller organisation like the Māori Health Authority, so the names a compatible rather than disparate.

Therefore, we needed to find names that, while distinct, were complementary. It was decided that we would look to the Tāwhiki narrative for the names for both of the organisations.

Te ito o te whakairo | The essence of the creative process

To bring wellness to the people; that was the essence of the idea. The names needed to reflect unity in thinking and purpose, so that we can collectivise our efforts and resources to provide wellbeing for all New Zealanders. That was the driving force behind the naming of these organisations.

Te aranga mai o ngā ingoa | The confirmation of the names

So, it is the ancestor Tāwhaki who, in some of our histories, ascended to the skies to seek the baskets of knowledge. After extensive discussion ‘Whatu’ was the concept selected Te Whatu Ora, was chosen with its many interpretations including: a stone, to show, to observe, to see, and its reference to the practice of weaving.

Te Aka Whai Ora is a reference to the method of ascendancy. The instructions Tāwhaki received from his grandmother was to adhere to the main line. Thus, if we embrace the main line, we will embrace wellness for all people.

So, this group decided to strictly adhere to the narrative around Tāwhaki, for his retrieval of the whatu and his adherence to the main line.