Maria Baker
Abstract
As the Indigenous nation of Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori have suffered greatly with the number of rangatahi (Māori youth) lost to suicide. As Māori, we strive to lead strategies and solutions to address the issue of suicide in our communities and to realise Māori potential. Under Te Rau Ora: National Centre of Māori Suicide Prevention we now have evidence and examples of implementation and operational context, with promising practice of what achievements are being made for Māori suicide prevention and postvention.
There remains the emphasis for explicit Māori suicide prevention and postvention programmes and approaches that are connected to Te Ao Māori (the Māori world/culture), that value te reo (Māori language), tikanga (Māori customs) and tino rangatiratanga (autonomy). Imperative to this approach is culturally relevant rangatahi suicide prevention initiatives that specifically focus on building resilience among rangatahi to reduce emotional distress and the impact of suicide.) Au.E! the rangatahi programme acknowledges the vast work we must continue to counteract suicide for our future generations. This article will provide an insight into Au.E! a rangatahi led and focused programme.
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