Te Whare Tapa Whā is a model of hauora (health and wellbeing) developed by psychiatrist Professor Sir Mason Durie in 1984.

Wellbeing is like a whare (house) with four walls, a whare tapa whā. Each tapa (wall) is a vital component of the whare, but together whā (four) tapa provide the base for the roof to fit on. You wouldn’t live in a house without a roof, so it is important to nurture all four sides of wellbeing.

Taha tinana (the body)

Oxygen enters the bloodstream through the lungs. It is inhaled through the mouth and nose. It combines with energy from the food we eat in our muscles and organs to activate the body. Carbon dioxide, the by-product of metabolism, is released when we exhale.

There are many ways you can look after your tinana (body), including ensuring you eat appropriately for your energy needs and receive adequate essential vitamins and minerals for cell growth and repair, exercising regularly to strengthen the muscles and improve circulation, and getting adequate sleep so your body can rest and recover.

Taha wairua (the spirit, our inner peace)

When we have been performing our work well, our wairua (spirit) feels replenished. When we have believed in ourselves and persevered, we feel courageous in spirit. When we have held fast to our beliefs and values, we feel strong in spirit. When we give ourselves time and space to restore, our inner peace feels safe. Welcoming a relationship with our tūpuna (ancestors) or loved ones who have gone on, and spending time in nature can be good for our spirit also.

Taha whanau (the relationships in our lives)

Human beings are social creatures. We need to give and receive love and affection and attention. We need to find meaning in our relationships through consistent respect and trust, and the strands of memory and the future hopes that run through our shared lives.

Taha hinengaro (the mind and heart, or the mental and emotional)

A healthy hinengaro (mind) is not absorbed in worry, especially not about what others think. It applies itself to what is worthwhile. The heart feels alive when the mind is active. As we create our selves and build our lives, the hinengaro stretches and extends, becoming more flexible and stronger.

The Whare Tapa Whā reminds us to pay attention to all the components of hauora. We need all four walls of the whare to have strength and stability. Good relationships should be balanced by good mental and emotional health, an ability to find inner peace and good physical health.

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