Te Whare Tapa Whā

September 2025

About

Te Whare Tapa Whā is a model of the 4 dimensions of wellbeing developed by Tā Mason Durie in 1984 to provide a Māori perspective on health.

The 4 dimensions are taha tinana (physical wellbeing), taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing), taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing), and taha whānau (family wellbeing). With 4 walls, the wharenui is a symbol of these 4 dimensions, while the whenua (land, sea, natural world) forms the foundation.

Te Whare Tapa Wha, the building blocks of health from a Māori perspective

Figure 1: Te Whare Tapa Whā — a diagram of a wharenui with 5 labels: Taha wairua (Spiritual), Taha tinana (Physical), Taha hinengaro (Mental & Emotional), Taha whānau (Family & Social), and Whenua (Land, roots).

My Wellbeing Activities

Wall/Taha Activities
Taha Tinana (Physical Wellbeing)
  • Go for a 15-30 minute walk every 2-3 days or more if able to
  • Go outside in backyard every 30mins-1hr if weather allows, smell flowers, connect with whenua
Taha Whānau (Family Wellbeing)
  • Make sure to treat friends/flatmates kindly and be more understanding of their nuances
  • Push myself to go to more social events on a more regular basis
Taha Hinengaro (Emotional & Mental Wellbeing)
  • Practice 4-7-8 breathing under stress
  • Continue practicing self reflection daily
Taha Wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing)
  • Practice gratefulness daily
  • Learn more about Te Ao, Te Reo and Rongoā Māori
  • Commit to more consistent spell work and rituals if time allows
Whenua (Interconnections to the land & environment)
  • Go outside everyday for 20 mins at least if weather allows
  • Smell flowers, notice small creatures
  • Sit with myself and connect with whenua