Friday 28 August 2015 8:49am
Promoting Health in Aotearoa New Zealand, published by Otago University Press, launched yesterday.
A new book, Promoting Health in Aotearoa New Zealand, provides an in-depth scan of the health promotion landscape in New Zealand. It explores ways in which Māori, and other perspectives, have been melded with Western ideas to produce distinctly New Zealand approaches. In doing so it addresses the need for locally written material for use in teaching and practice, and provides direction for those wanting to solve complex public health problems.
The book, published by Otago University Press and launched yesterday, demonstrates the value of health promotion in New Zealand.
“While there has been substantial progress to date in improving health, wellbeing and equity, much more could be achieved if there was greater investment in health promotion,” says lead editor Associate Professor Louise Signal, a director of the Health Promotion and Policy Research Unit, University of Otago, Wellington.
“Texts on promoting health in New Zealand are very limited, particularly as they relate to Māori. Frequently overseas texts are used in teaching and supporting public health practice, and often they aren't relevant to Māori, other New Zealanders and the New Zealand context. This book has been written to address that gap,” says co-editor Dr Mihi Ratima, a director of Taumata Associates.
The book is rare internationally for its strong focus on indigenous health. It was conceptualised as a text that equally integrates Māori and Pakeha analysis, consistent with an approach that emphasises the Treaty of Waitangi partnership and indigenous rights. The editors have endeavoured to achieve this by collaboration between Māori and Pakeha as editors, advisors and contributors. Contributors to the book include: Professor Sir Mason Durie, Professor John Raeburn, Associate Professor Papaarangi Reid, Sione Tu'itahi, Associate Professor Cindy Kiro, and Dr Alison Blaiklock.
“We hope this book will advance the growth and maturity of health promotion in New Zealand,” says Dr Ratima.
“Helping to improve public health processes and outcomes, including reducing inequities.”
Watch the video below to hear the editors, Louise Signal and Mihi Ratima, preview this book:
For further information, contact:
Otago University Press
Tel 64 3 479 8807
Web www.otago.ac.nz/press
www.facebook.com/OtagoUniversityPress
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