Amy Jones
Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa experience significant health inequities, including higher rates of chronic illness, acute conditions, and unmet healthcare needs. These disparities are driven by social determinants of health and systemic barriers within the healthcare system. Traditional models of care often fail to provide culturally safe, holistic, and accessible services for Māori whānau. To address this, the WHIRI (Whānau Hauora Integrated Response Initiative) was developed as a Kaupapa Māori approach to integrated healthcare. WHIRI uses a holistic assessment tool (WHA) administered by Māori navigators to identify and respond to wellbeing needs. Since its inception during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, WHIRI has been implemented across Waikato in multiple projects, but its overall impact has not yet been evaluated.
This study aims to create a comprehensive WHIRI database by merging data from 13 projects and linking it to hospital-level data for participants assessed between 2020 and 2024, as well as tamariki from the Harti Hauora Tamariki trial (2018–2019). The goal is to measure the reach and effect size of WHIRI programmes in the Waikato region, focusing on outcomes such as hospitalisations, emergency department visits, and clinic attendance. The study will also identify gaps for future WHIRI development and provide a foundation for further research on long-term health equity impacts.
We will combine data from WHIRI projects across community, hospital, and research streams, creating a dataset of at least 12,000 participants. Each participant’s NHI will be matched to hospital records from 2020–2024, capturing admissions, diagnostic codes, length of stay, ED presentations, and clinic attendance. Sociodemographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, address) will be used for descriptive and time-specific analyses to assess WHIRI’s reach and health outcomes. This linked dataset will enable evaluation of WHIRI’s impact and inform future case-control studies using national datasets like the IDI.
Māori and Pacific communities face major health inequities, including higher rates of illness and limited access to care. WHIRI is a Māori-led programme that provides holistic, culturally safe health assessments and navigation to services. Over 10,000 people in Waikato have benefited from WHIRI, but its overall impact has not been measured. This study will link WHIRI data with hospital records to show how the programme improves health outcomes and equity. Findings will support sustainable funding and future research to expand WHIRI’s benefits.
The project will deliver a unique, linked dataset that demonstrates WHIRI’s impact on health outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples in Waikato. It will provide evidence for improving healthcare delivery, reducing inequities, and supporting system transformation. The findings will inform sustainable funding for WHIRI and create opportunities for national roll-out. Additionally, the project will strengthen the Māori health workforce by supporting an emerging Māori researcher and promoting navigator roles. Ultimately, this research will advance Māori health and equity in Aotearoa.
Contact us for more information, or simply make a donation.