Pānui - Te Kete Rongomau

Nau mai, welcome to our second pānui to update you all on Te Kete Rongomau. Today, we celebrate the end of the research project's first year. We describe the project's progress over the first year, share the recordings from our inaugural community symposium, and present some of what we found through our community hui.

Please feel free to share our website with people you think may be interested. We have a ‘follow us’ section at the end of this pānui, where you can sign up to receive updates, news, and invitations to our events.

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Our first year

Wow! Our first year was really busy, as we spent much time with the Lakes and Waikato communities to find out what was most important to them regarding Mental Health Advance Preference Statements (MAPS). We had planned to have up to 20 meetings (hui) with a maximum of 60 participants, including tāngata whaiora, whānau, family and 60 kaimahi. But we ended up holding 16 hui with a total of 125 people attending. We have analysed the information we gathered from these meetings (see below) and are preparing the MAPS implementation resources based on that information.

During the first year, we also achieved other objectives, including setting up project infrastructure and governance committee, developing this website, holding community and research meetings, and sharing insights at wider conferences and gatherings.

The wider research rōpū/team at The University of Waikato. Left to right: Wi Te Tau Huata, David Austin, Katey Thom, Areta Ranginui Charlton, Suzette Poole, Rachel Tester, Sarah Gordon, Anthony O'Brien, Jessie Lenagh-Glue, Ty McWilliams, Constance Jefferson, Maryanne Richardson, Kiri Prentice, Debbie Goodwin, Johnnie Potiki, Wheeti Maipi, Kris Gledhill.

In the second year, our main focus will be to prepare to implement the various MAPS that will become part of Te Kete Rongomau across the Lakes and Waikato areas.

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Community symposium

On February 9th, we held the inaugural community symposium for Te Kete Rongomau, which we will host annually over the project's three years. The community symposium aims to share insights into the project and invite people to speak on the wider contexts in which this project is situated. Below, you can watch three recordings that made up our first symposium.

PART 1

Introduction to the symposium from Johnnie Potiki and Sarah Gordon, followed by the Naming and gifting of Te Kete Rongomau, by Hori Kingi and Wi Te Tau Huata

PART 2

The Mental Health Act and Me, Giles Newton-Howe

PART 3

Mental Health Advance Preference Statements (MAPS) and Pou Herenga in the Southern Region by Johnnie Potiki, followed by the closing of the symposium from Sarah Gordon and Johnnie Potiki

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Listening and learning from Waikato and Lakes communities

Over the project's first year, we aimed to consult with communities to inform the creation MAPS resources. This period of consultation comprises phase 1 of our project, which will result in the creation of localised tools and resources to help tāngata whaiora and whānau create their MAPS.

The following section presents the results of the hui, covering themes organized around four core questions. You can click the arrows to read more about each thematic area.

1.      What would you like to see MAPS include? 

All participants across hui shared many ideas on preferences that could be included in MAPS. However, tāngata whaiora were more specific about the content of these themes.

Common themes we heard from kaimahi and tāngata whaiora included treatment preferences, who to contact, personal details/affairs, A LIVING document, and whānau support.

Additional themes of personal effects, communication preferences, being able to share whakapapa, and inclusivity of Te Ao Māori came specifically from tāngata whaiora.

Tāngata whaiora and kaimahi Māori talked about MAPS needing to incorporate Te Ao Māori. 

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2.     How would MAPS work in practice?

When discussing the utility of MAPS, it was interesting that none of the groups suggested a need for a capacity assessment to ‘validate’ the MAPS. In fact, Māori kaimahi specified assumptions should not be made about tāngata whaiora competence to complete MAPS.

The common themes from all included timing, accessibility, person-led, staff workload, system integration, and support if needed.

Additional themes that came from all tāngata whaiora focused on options, engagement and trust, and peer support.

Kaimahi also said MAPS could be a collaborative undertaking.

For tāngata whaiora Māori, there was a tension between working collaboratively with others and being able to make their own choices.

Kaimahi and tāngata whaiora Māori both suggested the importance of a Māori-centric process (manaakitanga, kai, karakia, whanaungatanga, rituals, hui).

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3. & 4. What might ENABLE or DISABLE MAPS working in practice?

Perhaps the most emphatic message across all hui was the completion and use of MAPS must be based on trust, respect and tāngata whaiora being heard.

Other themes that came across all hui included staff attitudes, staff workload, systems integration, promotion, education and training, and limited options.

Additional themes from all tāngata whaiora hui emphasised disclosure fatigue and lack of accountability as a potential barrier.

An additional theme of remoteness and isolation as a barrier came from tāngata whaiora Māori.

Kaimahi and tāngata whaiora Māori identified additional potential barriers related to Mental Health Act requirements and service practice, differing options, and cultural competence.

Ensuring the right spaces was also emphasised by kaimahi Māori.

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Next steps

The team is now busy finalising the tools and resources based on community hui and preparing for phase 2, which includes: