hauora

Hauora is a Māori concept that denotes holistic well-being or health. It describes a dynamic, balanced state of existence that integrates physical, mental/emotional, spiritual, and social dimensions of life. In Māori worldviews, hauora is not merely the absence of disease but a condition of vitality in which all aspects of a person and their relationships are in balance.

Central to hauora is Te Whare Tapa Whā, a model developed by Sir Mason Durie in 1984. The model presents health as a whare (house) with four walls: taha tinana (physical health), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional health), taha wairua (spiritual health), and taha whānau (family and social health). The integrity of the whole house depends on the strength of each wall and the connections among them.

In policy, health care, education, and community development in New Zealand, hauora informs approaches to wellbeing that prioritize cultural relevance, prevention, and holistic assessment. It underpins culturally responsive practice, youth development programs, and public health initiatives by emphasizing balance across dimensions and the role of relationships, environment, and spirituality.

Etymology notes: hauora can be traced to hau (breath, life force) and ora (life, health), conveying vitality or liveliness. While widely used in Māori and public discourse, some scholars caution that hauora is a culturally specific concept that should be understood in its context and not generalized without engagement with Māori communities.