Ngā Aratohu Mate Roro Ikura Māori: Guidelines to support Māori living with stroke and their whānau

Stroke is a significant health issue within Māori communities, with inequities in rates and outcomes compared to non-Māori. Addressing this requires an approach that both recognises and incorporates clinical evidence and best practice taking into account Māori values, traditions, and practices.  

The 2025 Aotearoa New Zealand Ngā Aratohu Mate Roro Ikura Māori: Guidelines to support Māori living with stroke and their whānau was commissioned by the Aotearoa New Zealand National Stroke Network.  This guideline aims to provide whānau Māori and clinicians with guidelines that respect and integrate these values, traditions, and practices to enhance stroke care and improve health outcomes for Māori living with stroke and their whānau. The Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Te ORA – the Māori medical practitioner’s association), agreed to lead and facilitate this mahi, in conjunction with the Hauora Māori & Equity team at Deloitte with input from whānau Māori with lived experience of stroke, Māori clinicians, and some members of the National Stroke Network. 

Click here to download a pdf of the guidelines

These guidelines were written for Māori but offer valuable insights into culturally responsive approaches to healthcare and Indigenous health more broadly.

Stroke Foundation is exploring the use of a similar methodology to develop guidelines specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. This work would be undertaken in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, researchers, clinicians, and communities to ensure the guidelines are culturally grounded, relevant, and community led. The overall aim is to support equitable, respectful, culturally appropriate, and effective healthcare.