He Waka Eke Noa is part of the Kia Puawai Ake Ngā Uri Whakatupu: Inspiring Future Generations research programme. This five-year programme is led by Whakauae Research Ltd¹ (Whakauae) and funded by the Health Research Council.

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The research team

The research is being conducted in partnership with Gonville Health (GH), a general practice with approx. 39% of enrolled patients who identify as Māori. Dr Heather Gifford (Pirere Consulting) is leading the research. The team includes Dr John McMenamin (Health and Research Collaborative HARC), Lucia Gribble (GH), Associate Professor Bridgette Masters-Awatere, Gill Potaka-Osborne and Lynley Cvitanovic (Whakauae) and Dr Pat Neuwelt (independent researcher).

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Why are we doing this research?

Māori cancer care inequities are well documented and urgently need changing. Inequity, at all stages of the cancer pathway, is influenced by both patient and health system factors. Feedback from Māori consistently cites lack of cultural understanding and racial discrimination as systemic factors that impact cancer care. Primary health care (PHC) has repeatedly been highlighted as a key site for early cancer diagnosis and for addressing inequities for Māori.

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What are we doing?

Investigating shifting primary care services for Māori in the pre-diagnosis phase of cancer. Whānau and PHC perspectives will be identified and explored. The research is strengths based (looking at solutions) and will bring together whānau level voices with voices from PHC, with the intention of re-shaping PHC systems to benefit all. We will explore positive PHC experiences for Māori related to cancer. These experiences can help to identify the aspects of care that can be further strengthened, and how.

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How will we do it?

We will use a Kaupapa Māori research approach and draw on Western qualitative theory and methods, including Appreciative Inquiry (AI), that are strengths based and whānau centred. The principles of translation, uptake and impact (TUI) will guide how we optimise every opportunity to share research progress and findings and use them to influence improved Māori health outcomes.

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What difference will the research make?

The research will identify specific attitudes, knowledge, actions, and PHC system components that will increase access to, and effectiveness of, PHC for Māori in the pre-diagnosis phase of cancer. It will identify patient and whānau attitudes, knowledge, actions and community system components that increase awareness of cancer symptoms and prompt early presentations to general practice. Bringing together the whānau voice and the PHC voice will provide examples of a unified approach  that could be replicated in other PHC settings.

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¹ Whakauae is a Māori health research centre owned and mandated by Rangitīkei iwi, Ngāti Hauiti. The centre was established in 2005 and is based in Whanganui. www.whakauae.co.nz