Kaupapa Maori development of te reo Maori assessments and culturally responsive hearing healthcare in Te Waipounamu: findings from wananga

The development of valid and robust te reo Maori (te reo) hearing assessments in Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa) is an area of research that requires further attention from a Kaupapa Maori stance. In support of te reo revitalisation, this article shares findings from two wananga in Te Waipounamu (the South Island of Aotearoa) with research partners (hearing healthcare professionals and Maori health and education professionals). Research partners' perspectives and experiences of barriers and facilitators to ear and hearing healthcare in Te Waipounamu, development of te reo assessments, and their application in clinical and community settings are explored. Embedded within Kaupapa Maori theory and methodology, data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify commonalities and patterns in 'Hauora Maori Community' and 'Hearing Healthcare Community'. This paper presents seven whakaaro themes and first steps from provider perspectives towards the development of culturally appropriate and responsive hearing healthcare tools and services.