Tāngata ora, tāngata toa: an evaluation of a Māori men's well-being programme

Abstract

This research is a case study evaluation of a Māori men's well-being programme currently being run by the Te Wātea Society Incorporated. The evaluation's primary aim is to identify how effective the Te Wātea Hauora Tāngata programme is in bringing about change in Māori men's well-being. In order to answer the primary aim, the research specifically asked the following: how does the Te Wātea Hauora Tāngata programme operate on a day to day basis? what types of men present to, and engage in, the Te Wātea Hauora Tāngata programme? what are the men's experiences of the programme? what are the features of the programme that are, or are not, working to achieve the goal of the programme as identified by Te Wātea? During the course of the field work, a further objective was identified, namely the need to describe and understand the processes surrounding Te Wātea's operation as a Māori health provider within the intersectoral (health, welfare, justice, education and Māori development) policy, purchasing and service provision environment. The research has been undertaken using a Māori research perspective where-ever possible and practical. To this end, Māori methods of approach, introduction and dissemination have been utilised. The Māori research perspective, which overarches the project, was seen as a crucial element, allowing me to form a bond of trust with the participants, which in turn allowed them to speak freely and without fear. Grounding the research within this framework also ensured that the participants kept ownership of the data, and indeed, their intellectual property. The research is a case study evaluation using multiple methods. The approach includes the use of document analysis, observation and interviews with programme participants and key informants to elicit the information. Content analysis of the interview transcripts has been used to analyse the data. The research found that the Te Wātea Hauora Tāngata Programme attracts participants from deprived backgrounds, who have experienced broken relationships, inadequate support systems and who have poor employment prospects. The programme uses intensive one-on-one or group sessions to engage these men in the programme and to keep them participating. The programme delivers appropriate, immediate and practical services to clients despite funding pressures. In order to address the health problems of the participants it was often necessary to address their educational employment, relationship, and housing concerns. The overall finding is that Te Wātea have established and implemented a Māori men's well-being programme that participants feel comfortable in attending, and from which they perceive they have derived benefits. The subsequent discussion explores these findings in relation to the broader themes of health service effectiveness and Māori development. This project was of great significance to Te Wātea, and to the participants in the Hauora Tāngata programme as it was the first evaluation of the programme undertaken. The results of the evaluation will enable Te Wātea to take stock of how the programme is running, its strengths and weaknesses. It provides an indication of where alterations need to be made in order for the programme to remain responsive to client need. It is hoped that the research will be useful for policy-makers by providing some insight into Māori men's attitudes to health. The evaluation will be of use to those in the social and health policy arenas who are grappling with issues of Māori provider development, best practice models, and accountability to clients. It will also be of interest to other researchers in the Māori health field, particularly those with an interest in Māori health service development, and will add to the limited body of knowledge on Māori men's preferences for the delivery of health services. Ultimately it is hoped the research will be of benefit to Māori and assist in our endeavours to gain equality of health status.