摘要：Colonisation has deeply harmed Maori communities, seriously andconsistently undermining their vitality, aspirations and potentials,particularly since the 1860s, at inestimable cost to the entire nation.The British arrival in Aotearoa commenced a relationship betweentwo very different peoples that has profoundly influenced theirdistinct and collective fortunes ever since. Despite manifestbreaches of te Tiriti o Waitangi, this relationship has centred settlerinterests ensuring that Maori sovereignty has been displaced infavour of colonial hegemony, entrenching longstanding,preventable inequities in health and other important domains ofsocial life. In this paper we trace some broad indicators of relationalhealth and wellbeing in Aotearoa and consider how Maori thinkingabout whenua, health and wellbeing might lead healingopportunities for people and whenua. We outline ways in which aunified, dynamic, relational Maori concept based on whenua as thedeterminant of health could contribute. We believe this couldexpand, strengthen and revitalise prevention, protection andpromotion approaches, to counter the injustices of colonisation,contribute toward health equity and move toward just, sustainableshared futures for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
