Putting Whānau Knowledge into Action

Friday, 17 April 2009, 11:06 am
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Press Release:

National Maori Health Conference Focuses on Putting Whānau Knowledge into Action

Released on behalf of the Aotearoa Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development Trust (ANIHKD)

17 April 2009

Whānau knowledge in action is the focus of the 2nd National Conference of The Aotearoa Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development (ANIHKD), to be held in Napier, 20-22 April 2009.  This conference is unique in that it brings together Maori from across sectors within the area of health, including community members, researchers, service providers and policy makers.  A primary focus of the conference and the ANIHKD is integrating traditional Māori knowledge and contemporary science, in the service of Māori health gain. 

The ANIHKD is the Aotearoa arm of the International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development (INIHKD), which includes members from Australia, Canada, USA and Hawaii.  The kaupapa of both organisations is bringing together key stakeholders in the area of health knowledge and development (i.e. service providers, community members, researchers and policy makers) to share knowledge and innovations, as well as supporting national and international indigenous collaboration.  ANIHKD and INIHKD are indigenous led and run networks which aim to engage indigenous workers and organisations involved with the gathering and translation of knowledge into action in the service indigenous health gain 

This 2nd national hui of the ANIHKD continues the theme of the 3rd Biennial Meeting of the International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Development INIHKD conference in Rotorua (2007). The particular focus is on how whānau knowledge is best translated into action in health services, workforce, policy, and research development.   As with previous meetings, a primary aim is to provide the opportunity for people working in traditional health, community roles, service delivery, research, policy, and workforce development to meet and talk with each other.

The programme of this 2nd National Conference was designed to provoke discussion through presentation of cutting edge material by keynote speakers (Amster Reedy, Suzanne Pitama, Paraire Huata, Teresa Wall, Andre Le Geyt and Heather Skipworth), who will identify how tikanga, research and policy contribute to putting whanau knowledge into action, as well as giving examples of how whānau knowledge has been put into action.  A site visit to the award winning Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Māori health services in Hastings will provide further examples of how whānau knowledge might be put into action.  The speakers and site visits will provide a basis of cross sector discussion in both structured and informal situations.  A primary aim of the conference is to continue to develop collaboration between individuals and groups who usually have little if any contact with each other.

Ends

© Scoop Media