Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori model of health and wellbeing that describes wellbeing as a wharenui (meeting house) with four walls. It was developed by Sir Mason Durie, a leading Māori health advocate, in 1984, according to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
This guide explains the te whare tapa whā model in plain language, and offers some general ideas for using it day to day. It is general information only, not health advice.
Key points
- The model describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui with four walls.
- The four walls are taha tinana (physical), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional), taha whānau (family and social) and taha wairua (spiritual).
- Our connection with the whenua (land) forms the foundation.
- Sir Mason Durie developed the model in 1984.
- Each wall depends on the others, so wellbeing is about the whole whare, not one part.
What is Te Whare Tapa Whā?
The Mental Health Foundation says the model "describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls". A wharenui is a meeting house. Each wall stands for one dimension of wellbeing, and the foundation underneath is the whenua.
The word taha is a general word. Te Aka Māori Dictionary lists meanings such as "side" and "part, portion, section". So each taha here is one side or part of your wellbeing.
The sources describe the walls as connected. The New Zealand Defence Force health site says that "all four walls are interconnected and work harmoniously together to support holistic wellness". Te Aho o Te Kahu describes the model as a reminder to take care of all the different dimensions of your life that support your wellbeing.
Who developed Te Whare Tapa Whā?
Sir Mason Durie developed the model in 1984. The Mental Health Foundation, Healthify and Te Aho o Te Kahu all give this year. Te Aho o Te Kahu describes him as a Professor of Māori Health Studies and a leading Māori health advocate. The New Zealand Defence Force health site calls him a prominent Māori psychiatrist.
The model is Sir Mason Durie's work. This guide only passes on how these organisations describe it. For the full thinking behind it, go to the sources listed at the end.
What are the four walls and the whenua foundation?
Taha tinana (physical wellbeing)
The Mental Health Foundation says taha tinana "is about how your body feels and how you care for it". It adds that refuelling your body helps you to feel mentally well. Te Aka lists "body" as one meaning of tinana.
Taha hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing)
Taha hinengaro is "your mind, heart, conscience, thoughts and feelings", says the Mental Health Foundation. It adds that, just like your physical health, this part of your wellbeing needs to be taken care of.
Taha whānau (family and social wellbeing)
The Mental Health Foundation describes taha whānau as being "about who makes you feel you belong, who you care about and who you share your life with". It includes colleagues, friends, community and the people you care about. Te Aka defines whānau as "extended family, family group", and notes that the word can also include friends with no kinship ties.
Taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing)
According to the Mental Health Foundation, taha wairua "explores your relationship with the environment, people and heritage in the past, present and future". It also says there is no right or wrong way to think of or experience wairua.
Whenua (land, roots, where you belong)
The Mental Health Foundation says "our connection with the whenua/land forms the foundation". It describes whenua as "the place where you stand", and gives examples of belonging such as around your friends, at home with whānau, or as part of a sports team. Te Aka gives "land" and "ground" among the meanings of whenua. Te Aho o Te Kahu labels it "Land, roots or where you belong".
Is whenua a fifth element? The sources are not entirely consistent. The Mental Health Foundation says there are four walls and that the whenua is the foundation. Healthify uses the same wording, but its page also has a section on whenua and refers to "5 dimensions". Te Aho o Te Kahu lists whenua as its own heading beside the four walls. This guide treats the four walls as the model's structure and whenua as the foundation, as the Mental Health Foundation does.
| Māori name | English meaning | Example of looking after it (from a source) |
|---|---|---|
| Taha tinana | Physical wellbeing | Try walking or kapa haka (Healthify) |
| Taha hinengaro | Mental and emotional wellbeing | Focus on the things you can control (Te Aho o Te Kahu) |
| Taha whānau | Family and social wellbeing | Talk to your whānau and friends, and ask for their help (Te Aho o Te Kahu) |
| Taha wairua | Spiritual wellbeing | Listen to uplifting waiata (music) (Healthify) |
| Whenua | Land, roots, where you belong | Connect with nature, such as exploring your local area (Te Aho o Te Kahu) |
How can you use Te Whare Tapa Whā day to day?
The examples in the table come from Healthify and Te Aho o Te Kahu. They are simple ideas, not a programme. The reflection questions below are this site's own plain-language prompts, based on the definitions above. They are not published by the Mental Health Foundation or any other source. Use them or leave them.
- Taha tinana: How does my body feel today, and how am I caring for it?
- Taha hinengaro: What thoughts and feelings are here right now? Which things can I control?
- Taha whānau: Who makes me feel I belong? When did I last talk to them?
- Taha wairua: What connects me to the people, places and heritage that matter to me?
- Whenua: Where do I feel I can stand and be myself?
Writing your answers down can help you notice them. Our Mindful Journaling guide is one way to do that. If you would rather slow down and check in, try the Guided Meditation practice. You can also browse all our practices or all our guides.
Why is Te Whare Tapa Whā used in Aotearoa?
Several New Zealand organisations use the model to describe wellbeing as more than one thing. The Mental Health Foundation, Healthify and Te Aho o Te Kahu each publish it for the public. Te Aho o Te Kahu says the model reminds people to look after all the dimensions of life that support their wellbeing, and that using the dimensions is one way to help you and your whānau cope with cancer. The New Zealand Defence Force health site also uses it to explain wellbeing.
If you are struggling, talk to your GP. You can also call or text 1737 any time. The 1737 website describes it as free, confidential support for anyone in New Zealand, 24/7.
FAQs
Who created Te Whare Tapa Whā?
Sir Mason Durie developed Te Whare Tapa Whā in 1984. The Mental Health Foundation, Healthify and Te Aho o Te Kahu all give this year.
What are the four dimensions of Te Whare Tapa Whā?
The four walls are taha tinana (physical), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional), taha whānau (family and social) and taha wairua (spiritual). The whenua (land) forms the foundation.
Is whenua a fifth part of Te Whare Tapa Whā?
It depends on the source. The Mental Health Foundation describes four walls with the whenua as the foundation. Healthify and Te Aho o Te Kahu also give whenua its own section.
What does the wharenui stand for in the model?
The Mental Health Foundation says the model describes health and wellbeing as a wharenui (meeting house) with four walls. Each wall is one dimension of wellbeing.
Is Te Whare Tapa Whā a medical treatment?
No. It is a way of describing wellbeing. This guide is general information, not health advice. If you are struggling, talk to your GP or call or text 1737.
Sources
- Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, Te Whare Tapa Whā: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/te-whare-tapa-wha
- Healthify, Te Whare Tapa Whā and wellbeing: https://healthify.nz/te-whare-tapa-wha-and-wellbeing
- Te Aho o Te Kahu, Te Whare Tapa Whā dimensions: https://teaho.govt.nz/index.php/cancer-information/support-and-rehabilitation/te-whare-tapa-wha-dimensions
- New Zealand Defence Force, About your health: https://health.nzdf.mil.nz/your-health/about-your-health
- Te Aka Māori Dictionary: https://maoridictionary.co.nz
- 1737 Need to talk?: https://1737.org.nz
