KAUPAPA - OUR PURPOSE
Te Ao Mārama is an organisation of around 120 members, who provide leadership, representation and support to the Māori oral health workforce including clinicians, specialists, health promoters, support staff, researchers, teachers and students. Our membership remains committed to our vision of ‘Hei oranga niho mo te iwi Māori’ Good Oral health for Māori, for life.
Te Ao Mārama is an important forum for members to showcase and share information about new initiatives that have positive outcomes for Māori oral health. We are also a professional body that acknowledges and celebrates members who are driving positive change, optimising leadership potential and working towards reducing Māori oral health inequities.
The future work for Te Ao Mārama includes supporting the professional development of the Māori oral health workforce and developing rewarding career pathways, building research capability to conduct significant Māori research projects and working closer with Iwi and Māori communities to ensure the best access possible to the best services available.
Our Vision
‘Hei oranga niho mo te iwi Māori’
Good Oral health for Māori, for life.
Our Outcome
Māori enjoying good oral health at all ages.
Our Purpose
Our Role
Our Objectives
Uphold Māori oral health as guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Reclaim the right of our people to decide and set goals for their oral health.
Safeguard and promote the oral health of te iwi Māori.
Promote the opportunity for te iwi Māori to access quality oral health services.
Kaupapa Māori values
Wairuatanga
Te Ao Mārama is a wairua-nurturing environment that recognises the importance and value of kaumatua leadership in relation to the spiritual dimension.
Whanaungatanga
Strong links and relationships that support a shared purpose and goals. The ability to develop and maintain relationships that enhance identity and service the community, Iwi, hapu and whanau.
Manaakitanga
Having respectful intentions and behaviour towards others.
Pūkengatanga
Respect for on-going education and learning and supporting the development of skills and knowledge from Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā.
Kotahitanga
Unity of purpose and direction.
Rangatiratanga
Leadership attributes: Rights and responsibilities; Autonomy.
Ūkaipōtanga / Tūrangawaewae
A place (organisation) to belong, where people with common goals and interests have purpose and are important; A place where we gain strength and energy.