What is Te Whare Tapa Whā?


Te whare tapa whā is a model of the 4 dimensions of wellbeing developed by Sir Mason Durie in 1984 to provide a Māori perspective on health. The 4 dimensions are:


With 4 walls, the wharenui (meeting house) is a symbol of these 4 dimensions. The wharenui’s connection with the whenua (land) forms the foundation for the other 4 dimensions.

• Taha tinana - Physical well-being. The physical body, its growth, development, and ability to move, and ways of caring for it.


• Taha hinengaro- Mental and emotional well-being. Coherent thinking processes, acknowledging and expressing thoughts and feelings and responding constructively


• Taha whanau - Social well-being. Family relationships, friendships, and other interpersonal relationships; feelings of belonging, compassion, and caring; and social support


• Taha wairua - Spiritual/Religious well-being. the values and beliefs that determine the way people live, the search for meaning and purpose in life, and personal identity and self-awareness (For some individuals and communities, spiritual well- being is linked toa particular religion; for others, it is not.)