Maori Ora: The Dynamics of Maori Health

Mauri Ora outlines the relevance of culture, identity, and socio-economic factors to health. Mason Durie draws on many years of experience to bring fresh perspectives on Maori health, especially mental health. Not only is there a comprehensive clinical review of suicide, depression, and alcohol and drug misuse, but there is also a thorough exploration of the origins of poor health and strategies for improving health. As a sequel to Whaiora, Mauri Ora contains new insights into a Maori psychology and provides useful guidelines for practitioners, especially those who are involved in counselling Maori clients or establishing mental health services for Maori. In addition, population approaches to health, such as community and hapu development, are discussed within a framework that connects health to the broader aims of Maori development. Few books are able to accurately interpret the health perspectives of indigenous peoples, the viewpoints of clinicians, or the resolve of community leaders. Mauri Ora successfully brings together these many strands, presenting health as ‘the dynamic interaction of people with each other as well as with wider cultural, social, economic, political and physical environments’.