Is a cultural and theoretical programme for at risk Māori rangatahi (youth) useful in the context of resilience and wellbeing?

Cindy Mokomoko

This article discusses findings of a two-year study that explored the impact of a Māori cultural leadership programme delivered into schools for Māori rangatahi (youth) to assist them with their wellbeing and resilience. The rangatahi selected for the programme had lived experiences of drugs and alcohol, truancy, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts, anxieties, and violence.
Mana Rangatahi (cultural leadership programme) was based on the cultural values of whanaungatanga (relationship building), manaakitanga (support), tikanga and kawa (cultural practices), and tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).
The methods utilised in the study involved pre-and-post-surveys of rangatahi attendees to the Mana Rangatahi programme. Followed by a triangulation of data from the two years participant focus groups, and teacher surveys.
The findings of the study indicate Māori cultural programmes in schools’ impact positively on the wellbeing and resilience for students.