Abstract
Kaumātua (Māori [Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand] elders over 55 years of age) often experienced disconnection from their cultural roots because of colonisation and policies that discouraged use of the Māori language, and cultural protocols, which had negative effects on well-being and sense of identity. This article describes a strength-based co-design process and programme that is kaumātua-led, for and by Māori communities, to help address this disconnection due to colonisation. He Huarahi Tautoko (a pathway of support) (HHT) is a cultural revitalisation model for integrating the Māori language, culture, intergenerational knowledge exchange and physical activity. Through HHT, we assert that self-determination, Indigenous cultural continuity, language revival, valuing Māori epistemologies and existing strengths of kaumātua are all positive determiners of kaumātua health. This article outlines the methods of co-design with each provider. We highlight the aspirations of kaumātua around ways to integrate cultural revitalisation and physical activities into learning spaces.