🌿 Te Whare Tapa Whā - The Four-Sided House
Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori model of health and wellbeing developed by Sir Mason Durie. Like a meeting house (whare), our wellbeing has four walls that must all be strong for the house to stand firmly. This handout will help you assess your current wellbeing across all four dimensions.
TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ
Physical Health
Mental/Emotional Health
Social/Family Health
Spiritual Health
All four walls must be balanced and strong
📋 Instructions
- Read about each dimension of hauora
- Rate your current wellbeing for each dimension from 1-10 (1=very weak, 10=very strong)
- Write 2-3 sentences explaining your rating - be honest with yourself
- This assessment is private - you only share what you're comfortable sharing
- There are no "right" answers - this is about understanding where you are right now
Important: This is a snapshot of how you're feeling right now. Your wellbeing can change, and that's okay. This assessment helps you identify areas to strengthen.
1️⃣ Taha Tinana - Physical Wellbeing
What it is: Your physical health, fitness, nutrition, sleep, and how you care for your body.
Examples include: Eating nutritious food, drinking water, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep (8-10 hours for teenagers), managing illness or injury, hygiene
My Current Rating:
Why did you give yourself this rating? What's currently strong in your physical health? What could be better?
2️⃣ Taha Hinengaro - Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
What it is: Your thoughts, feelings, emotions, mental health, self-esteem, and how you handle stress.
Examples include: Managing stress and anxiety, having good self-esteem, being able to express emotions, feeling mentally clear, asking for help when struggling, having coping strategies
My Current Rating:
How are you feeling mentally and emotionally right now? What helps you manage stress? What's been challenging?
3️⃣ Taha Whānau - Social & Family Wellbeing
What it is: Your relationships with family, friends, classmates, and community. Feeling connected and like you belong.
Examples include: Having people you trust, good communication with family, strong friendships, feeling part of a group or community, being able to work well with others
My Current Rating:
How are your relationships? Do you feel connected to others? What's going well socially? What could improve?
4️⃣ Taha Wairua - Spiritual Wellbeing
What it is: Your sense of identity, values, purpose, meaning, and connection to something greater than yourself. This isn't just about religion - it's about what matters most to you.
Examples include: Knowing who you are, understanding your cultural identity, having a sense of purpose, knowing what you value, feeling connected to nature/land, spiritual or religious beliefs (if you have them)
My Current Rating:
Do you have a sense of who you are and what you value? Do you feel connected to something beyond yourself? What gives your life meaning?
📊 Overall Reflection
My Strongest Dimension:
Which wall of your whare is currently the strongest? Why?
Dimension Needing Most Attention:
Which wall needs the most strengthening right now? What's one small, realistic step you could take this week to improve it?
Connections Between Dimensions:
Have you noticed how one dimension affects others? (For example: When I don't sleep well [tinana], I feel more stressed [hinengaro])
Looking Ahead:
What's one goal you have for your overall hauora/wellbeing?
👩🏫 Teacher Notes
Purpose: This self-assessment helps students apply Te Whare Tapa Whā framework to their own lives and identify areas for growth.
Time: 15-20 minutes for completion
Privacy: Students should know this is a private reflection. They share only what they're comfortable sharing.
Follow-up: If any students express concerning wellbeing issues, follow your school's pastoral care protocols. Have counselor/support contact information ready.
Cultural Note: Remind students that Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori framework, but people from all cultures can use it. Invite students to share wellbeing concepts from their own cultures too.
Repeat Assessment: Students can complete this assessment again at the end of the unit to track growth and changes in wellbeing.
📋 NZ Curriculum Alignment
Learning Area: Health and Physical Education
Te Mātaiaho 2025 - Phase 3:
- Understand good self-care practices that support mental, emotional, and physical well-being
- Develop skills in assessing personal wellbeing across multiple dimensions
- Practice self-reflection and goal-setting for health
Key Competencies: Thinking (critical reflection), Managing Self (self-assessment)