Abstract
Mauri is an abstract quality that defies a singular definition but is often used to refer to the essence and vitality of a being. From a Māori worldview, mauri is considered fundamental to wellbeing as it is closely linked to a person's mana (personal authority, power, charisma) and tapu (divine restriction, sacredness). An affliction to either can change how a person experiences and expresses mauri, thereby affecting one's level of wellbeing. The deliberate colonial destruction of Māori social structures, cultural knowledge and language in Aotearoa-New Zealand had a severe impact on Māori identity, mana and tapu. This also had a significant impact on mauri, leading to ongoing intergenerational trauma and negative effects on wellbeing and cultural identity.