ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: When COVID-19 emerged, there were well-founded fears that Maori (indigenous peoples of Aotearoa (New Zealand)) would be disproportionately affected, both in terms of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 itself and through the impact of lock-down measures. A key way in which Kokiri (a Maori health provider) responded was through the establishment of a pataka kai (foodbank) that also provided a gateway to assess need and deliver other support services to whanau (in this case, client). Maori values were integral to this approach, with manaakitanga (kindness or providing care for others) at the heart of Kokiri's actions. We sought to identify how Kokiri operated under the mantle of manaakitanga, during Aotearoa's 2020 nationwide COVID-19 lockdown and to assess the impact of their contributions on Maori whanau. METHODS: We used qualitative methods underpinned by Maori research methodology. Twenty-six whanau interviews and two focus groups were held, one with eight kaimahi (workers) and the other with seven rangatahi (youth) kaimahi. Data was gathered between June and October 2020 (soon after the 2020 lockdown restrictions were lifted), thematically analysed and interpreted using a Maori worldview. RESULTS: Three key themes were identified that aligned to the values framework that forms the practice model that Kokiri kaimahi work within. Kaitiakitanga, whanau and manaakitanga are also long-standing Maori world values. We identified that kaitiakitanga (protecting) and manaakitanga (with kindness) - with whanau at the centre of all decisions and service delivery - worked as a protective mechanism to provide much needed support within the community Kokiri serves. CONCLUSIONS: Maori health providers are well placed to respond effectively in a public-health crisis when resourced appropriately and trusted to deliver. We propose a number of recommendations based on the insights generated from the researchers, kaimahi, and whanau. These are that: Maori be included in pandemic planning and decision-making, Maori-led initiatives and organisations be valued and adequately resourced, and strong communities with strong networks be built during non-crisis times.