Insight #1
"People are using Maramataka to reflect and act on their individual and whānau wellbeing."
Maramataka
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Maramataka Wānanga with Rangatahi
Meretini Bennett-Huxtable Rautaki Māori and Maramataka Practitioner
MARAMATAKA: MATAURANGA MĀORI AS PREVENTION SOLUTIONS
Maramataka – he ine i te wā, ki tā te tirohanga Māori
Ko te maramataka te inenga o te wā ki tā te tirohanga o ngā tūpuna Māori mā te mātai i ngā mata o te marama. Ka
The maramataka is the traditional measure of time used by our tupuna utilising the lunar phases. It incorporates a sensory understanding of our environment and differs from rohe to rohe, depending on the environmental factors and signs that each area presents.
In Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu the beginning of each marama begins with Whiro, the new moon. Maramataka is a practical way to approach each day.
By observing and developing a connection with the marama (moon), we can ensure that as individuals we are best placed to tackle the things life may throw at us, which then allows us to start to become our best selves and then contribute to the improved health and wellbeing of our whānau, hapu, iwi, and communities.
Historically, the maramataka was used to guide all activities, from fishing and gardening, to wānanga and travelling.
Our tupuna were so in tune with their taiao (environment) and our atua that this happened organically and Healthy Families WRR are working with others in the community to bring back some of those practices that kept us connected and healthy.
One easy way that we can do this is by adjusting our activity levels according to the energy levels and pull of the moon. Everything has an ebb and a flow, including us, so by allowing ourselves to rest during the low energy phases and amping it up on the high energy phases we are placing ourselves in a position for optimum benefits.
Similarly, we can also adjust our kai intake on these days – less intake on days where you use less energy, and more (of the good stuff) on the days where we are burning up more energy.
Another way that we can begin to get more in tune with the taiao is to use the maramataka in our work life – there are days that are good for meetings, good for writing reports, good for beginning new kaupapa, or good to just get outside and have a walking meeting.
Get in touch with us if you would like to explore how you could start to incorporate teachings of the maramataka in your every day life.
TE AO MAORI PREVENTION TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CHALLENGES
At the heart of this initiative lies a Te Ao Māori, Māori worldview that observes systems in their entirety. It emphasises the interconnectedness of all elements, from people and place to experience and narrative. Viewing mental health and addiction challenges through this indigenous framework leads to a transformative shift in perspective. Rather than merely responding to crisis, the focus shifts to fostering collective well-being.
The initiative leverages Maramataka Māori, a prevention solution organising system that provides a Māori perspective on creating a holistic continuum of care. Meretini and her team have taken a unique approach by using Maramataka to analyse five years' worth of data related to mental health crisis and family harm. The results have been enlightening, revealing significant patterns in crisis occurrences, especially during specific phases of the Maramataka.
What sets this initiative apart is its emphasis on early intervention and prevention, a critical departure from the traditional crisis-centric model. By identifying patterns and leveraging Mātauranga Māori (ancestral knowledge), the initiative encourages a paradigm shift. It calls for a system grounded in tikanga, one that is holistic and whanau-centered, taking a life-course approach to wellness. In essence, it champions a human and eco-centric continuum of care.
The approach also incorporates design thinking, a problem-solving methodology rooted in a human-centered perspective. Indigenous design thinking, as practiced in this initiative, takes an eco-centric view into account. It involves a multi-step process that includes problem identification, idea generation, rough prototyping, user testing, and refinement.
In an era where mental health and addiction challenges are increasingly prevalent, the Te Ao Māori Prevention initiative represents a refreshing and innovative approach. It underscores the significance of indigenous perspectives, cultural values, and holistic strategies in addressing these complex issues. By combining Māori wisdom with modern problem-solving methodologies like design thinking, Meretini Huxtable Bennett and her team are not only addressing immediate crises but also paving the way for a more resilient and well-connected community.
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