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Te Whare Tapa Whā

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) 2024 is underpinned by Te Whare Tapa Whā, a model designed by leading Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie in 1984.

Te Whare Tapa Whā is an holistic model of health that describes health as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls.

These walls represent taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing), taha tinana (physical wellbeing) and taha whānau (family and social wellbeing). While not an official part of Te Whare Tapa Whā, our connection with the whenua/land forms the foundation. Achieving a sense of equilibrium between the four walls or dimensions is essential to cultivate strong wellbeing. When all these things are in balance, we thrive. When one or more of these is out of balance, our wellbeing is impacted.  

When all these things are in balance, we thrive. When one or more of these is out of balance, our wellbeing is impacted. 

The parts of the wharenui:

TAHA WHĀNAU

Taha whānau is the people we care about, who recharge us and make us feel we belong. Whānau isn’t just our immediate relatives. It includes our friends, hoamahi/colleagues, iwi or community – the people who are close to our hearts. 

TAHA WAIRUA 

Taha wairua is about taking notice and appreciating the beauty around us. It’s about rediscovering things that make us feel awe, hope, strength, unity and connection. For some, wairua is faith or a higher power. Sometimes our wairua isn’t strong and we encourage you to think about what wairua means to you and ways to strengthen it. When your wairua is strong, it’s easier to feel good, cope with challenges and build strong whānau relationships.

TAHA TINANA 

Taha tinana is about how your body feels and how you care for it. Refuelling your body helps you to feel mentally well. Sometimes your tinana might not be where you’d like it to be and this might be beyond your control. What’s important is that you do what you can to nurture it.

TAHA HINENGARO 

Taha hinengaro is your mind, heart, conscience, thoughts and feelings. Just like your physical health, your hinengaro needs to be nurtured. Hinengaro is what you do to stimulate and refresh your mind so you can better cope with the ups and downs of life.

WHENUA 

Whenua is our connection to the land. It’s soil, plants, animals and people – tangata whenua. It’s the earth through which you are connected to your tūpuna/ancestors. Whenua is a place of belonging and it’s comforting that it is never too far away.

 TeWhare

Monday

Connect/Me Whakawhanaunga

How will you connect with others today? 

Connect refers to making social connections, or whakawhanaungatanga. A sense of feeling connected, loved or belonging with others is strongly associated with better wellbeing and other health outcomes through providing a sense of meaning, safety, support and purpose. Nurturing relationships with friends, whānau and work colleagues helps to enhance the benefits of connection and promote a deeper sense of unity and collective wellbeing. 

Here are some of the ways you can connect with others today: 


Social connection is the ngākau/heart of our wellbeing. It weaves us together, making us feel seen, heard, and understood. When we nurture meaningful connections with others, we uplift our own wellbeing. 

Tuesday

Give/Tukua

How will you give to others today? 

Give is about kindness, altruism, or generosity. Carrying out acts of kindness boosts our happiness, life satisfaction, and overall wellbeing. When we help others, it gives us purpose and a sense of belonging. Sharing acts of kindness and your time with others can strengthen relationships and create a ripple effect of positivity.  

Here are some of the ways you can give today: 


What better time than Mental Health Awareness Week to Top Up Together by doing something nice for your friends, whānau or colleagues?   

Wednesday

Be Active/Me Kori Tonu

What steps will you take toward being active today?  

Being active is not only important for our physical wellbeing, it’s also a powerful mood booster. Moving our tinana/body can reduce stress and anxiety levels, promote relaxation and enhance overall mental resilience. Being active with whānau and friends can boost motivation, strengthen social bonds, and make physical activity more enjoyable. 

Here are some of the ways you can be active today: 


Being active can make us feel good, and it helps us feel connected with our communities. Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, the "feel-good" hormones, which can uplift your mood and increase feelings of happiness. 

Thursday

Take Notice/Me Aro Tonu

What will you take notice of today?  

Take Notice refers to the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness can be thought of as open and receptive attention to, and awareness of, what is occurring in the present moment. There is robust scientific evidence supporting mindfulness practice as beneficial to our hauora (mental, physical, spiritual, social/relationships). Practicing mindfulness with others can deepen connection and enhance our collective sense of wellbeing. 

Here are some of the ways you can take notice today: 


Top up your wellbeing by being present - use today as a reminder to pay more attention to the present moment, to your thoughts and feelings, and to others around you. 

Friday

Keep Learning/Me Ako Tonu

How will you keep learning today and beyond? 

Keep Learning refers to ‘exercising our mind’ – almost like taking our brain to the gym. Learning something new together with friends or whānau can boost motivation, enhance understanding and offer a sense of shared growth and discovery. 

Here are some of the ways you can keep learning today:  

Evidence suggests that learning or trying new things creates a sense of achievement, competence and stimulates engagement with the world around us.