The Atiawa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust recently instigated qualitative research to better understand the notion of iwi connectedness and the link with oranga. This paper reports of the findings of that research, which examined how connectedness is understood by iwi and identified implications of connectedness on oranga. Thirty Atiawa ki Whakarongotai iwi members were interviewed between February and June 2015 using a semi-structured interview guide. Questions related to multiple aspects of connectedness, including their participation in iwi and marae activities, barriers and enablers to participation, and advantages and disadvantages of participation.

This paper addresses two objectives; first, to explore whether the concept of resilience, as described in the international literature, has resonance in the New Zealand Indigenous context; and second, to discuss the link between the concept of resilience and the Māori concept of whānau ora. The paper draws on findings from a qualitative study that utilised a single case study design. Data collection methods for the full study included a comprehensive literature review, organisational document review, conceptual framework development, in-depth key informant interviews and sequential focus groups with health service consumers.