January 2024
National Māori health organisation Te Rau Ora welcomes the New Year with the release of an innovative digital resource designed to have a transformative impact on Maaori health.
Ao Maarama is a free mobile App that uses Maatauranga Maaori (traditional knowledge) and Maaori health frameworks to help build awareness, knowledge, and connection with the rhythms of wellbeing.
The interactive app weaves Maatauranga Maaori through tools that include the Maramataka (Maaori lunar calendar) and Maaori health frameworks Te Whare Tapa Whaa and Mauri Ora Tai Pari.
“By tuning into the tohu (signs and messages) and natural rhythms within us and te taiao (natural world) we can be better prepared to pursue pathways to wellbeing.
Ao Maarama empowers you to align with natural rhythms and maatauranga Maaori for a more balanced and meaningful life. Start your journey today – mauri ora!” says co-developer Dr Andre McLachlan.
Through the App users are invited to,
Learn and Reflect. Explore the Maatauranga Maaori within Maramataka to guide your well-being.
Track Your Mauri Ora. Track the flow of your mauri and well-being actions and see progress over time.
Receive daily guidance. Insights, activities, and prompts inspired by Maaori knowledge.
Holistic Hauora. Reflect on your hauora (health) to identify what you want to nurture and strength.
A key feature is the interactive tool that explores the Maatauranga Maaori (traditional knowledge) within the Maramataka (lunar calendar) to guide well-being.
The ground-breaking digital resource was developed by Dr Andre McLachlan (Clinical Pscyhologist), Ayla Hoeta (Maramataka Practitioner), Dr Tahlia Kiingi (Clinical Pscyhologist), and Tyler Morris (coordinator) with the help of Kiwa Digital (App Developer) and We Are River (web developer).
The developers also acknowledge the community who participated in the initial waananga and who shared whakaaro and koorero that helped give the kaupapa direction. Nga mihi nui!
About Te Rau Ora
Te Rau Ora is a national Kaupapa Maaori organisation committed to improving Maaori Health through leadership, education, research and evaluation, health workforce development, and innovative systemic transformation.
Contact: [email protected]
