Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 2024, 19(3): 217-237

Co-designed health initiatives are gaining popularity in Aotearoa (New Zealand). However, emerging research identifies potential pitfalls for Indigenous populations, particularly Māori (Indigenous Peoples of Aotearoa), when Kaupapa Māori principles are ignored. Using the Indigenous He Pikinga Waiora Implementation (HPW) framework as a guide, this paper provides an autoethnographic reflective account of the co-design process that led to the development and implementation of the Whirihia holistic assessment tool for the Kaupapa Māori antenatal wānanga (workshop) Whirihia Te Korowai Aroha. The co-design process resulted in a culturally appropriate and responsive holistic assessment tool that provided a quality health needs assessment pathway for māmā hapū (pregnant women) and their whānau (family). This reflective account provides examples of key considerations that align to the HPW framework in the hope that it will afford some guidance for fellow emerging researchers who wish to undertake ethical co-designed health research with Māori (and non-Māori) communities and organisations. (Authors' abstract). Record #8891