Beyond Universalism: The Theoretical Imperative for a Tribal-Specific Māori Health Framework

Despite the global proliferation of health models and health promotion frameworks, Indigenous populations, particularly Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand, continue to experience disproportionate health inequities and disparate outcomes. This article presents an analysis of existing health frameworks, ranging from conventional Western paradigms to Indigenous-specific models, to evaluate their efficacy in addressing the holistic wellbeing of Māori. By analysing the theoretical underpinnings of health models, this article highlights a persistent misalignment between hegemonic health systems and Indigenous realities. The analysis reveals that while contemporary Māori models have significantly advanced cultural safety and holistic understanding, there remains a critical gap for frameworks that are not only culturally grounded but also tribally specific. This article argues that to achieve true Mana-motuhake (autonomy) and substantive improvements in health outcomes, the health sector must move beyond generic models toward bespoke frameworks rooted in the specific tikanga, narratives, and environmental connections of individual iwi (tribes). Specifically, this paper establishes the theoretical basis for a tribal-specific holistic health model, a model designed for the people of Waikato.