Listening to the Voices of our Youth through Te Whare Tapa Whā: A Day in Ōtautahi

Today, I had the privilege of spending the day at a college in Ōtautahi, listening to thirteen teenagers who are just beginning their journey in a new educational environment. Each of these one-to-one conversation was a reflection on their well-being and aspirations.

Together, we explored how these young people could be best supported in their learning and growth, using the Māori health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā*, as a guiding framework.

As they shared their stories, many spoke of Taha Tinana, their physical health, expressing concerns about energy levels, physical activities, and mostly their sleep patterns, which play a crucial role in how they engage with their studies. Some voiced the challenges they faced with their mental health, aligning with Taha Hinengaro, and the pressures of navigating a new social environment, especially as they balance schoolwork and personal expectations.

Taha Whānau mostly emerged in the way they talked about family connections and friendships, emphasizing how critical their relationships are in providing emotional support and security. Interestingly, Taha Wairua—the spiritual dimension—surfaced in unexpected ways. For some, it was tied to personal values, a sense of purpose, or cultural identity. Others spoke about feeling spiritually connected to their family, expressing how deeply this influenced their sense of belonging and support.

By integrating these Māori principles, I aim to honour the rich indigenous culture of Aotearoa and provide a framework that is truly relevant to the lives of the young people I work with.

The purpose of this work is always to empower them to shape their “own beautiful lives”, a concept that resonates deeply with the ideas shared by Dr. Christoph Teschers, a wonderful academic from UC with whom I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate. His work, along with my own practice, continues to inspire me to guide young people toward lives that are not just successful, but truly beautiful in their own right.

* This well-known holistic model considers four dimensions of well-being—Taha Tinana (physical), Taha Hinengaro (mental and emotional), Taha Whānau (social), and Taha Wairua (spiritual). It emphasizes that true well-being comes from a balance across all these areas, much like a house (whare) that stands strong only when all four walls are supported.