Huarahi Oranga: an introduction to Māori concepts informing a Māori healing and psychiatry partnership.

OBJECTIVE:: The aim of this article is to give an overview of Māori concepts informing a collaboration between a Māori healer (NiaNia) and psychiatrist (Bush).

CONCLUSIONS:: Wairua (spiritual) problems can resemble psychiatric disorders or symptoms. Knowledge of relevant Māori concepts such as mauri, tapu, mana, matekite and manaakitanga may assist psychiatrists in collaborating with Māori healers and kaumātua (elders) to enable more appropriate cultural and clinical assessment, as well as helping to build rapport and clinical interactions with Māori whānau (individuals and families).