Māori worldview key to success for whānau parenting programm

Māori worldview key to success for whānau parenting programmes

Today Superu is releasing What Works: Parenting programmes effective with whānau, a summary of the key findings from a Superu research report on effective parenting programmes published in April 2014.

In New Zealand, parenting programmes that have emerged from the Māori worldview are called kaupapa Māori programmes. Additionally there are Māori culturally adapted parenting programmes.

What Works: Parenting programmes effective with whānau finds that kaupapa Māori and culturally adapted parenting programmes are effective with whānau because they validate Māori knowledge, values, and practices. Both of these types of programmes support whānau through strengthening cultural identity and growing knowledge of traditional parenting practices. It is important that the culturally adapted programmes be validated by Māori.

Superu Chief Advisor Māori, Donovan Clarke, said "There are a number of kaupapa Māori and culturally adapted parenting programmes running in New Zealand and some have had kaupapa Māori evaluations that show the programmes are effective with whānau."

Clarke adds "The range of characteristics of effective programmes include being: whanau-centred, focused on wellbeing, building on strengths and having skilled Māori facilitators and role models."

Clarke adds "The next steps are to strengthen the evidence base about what works and use this knowledge about what works to improve outcomes for whānau. Fortunately there are several evaluations underway that will contribute to our understanding of these programmes’ effectiveness."

This release complements Superu’s What Works: Effective parenting programmes released March 2015, looking at parenting programmes for the broader New Zealand population.

ENDS

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