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NCEA Level 1 Hauora study materials
NCEA Level 1 Hauora study resources

NCEA Level 1 Hauora practice questions

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Question 1Hauora

In the Whare Tapa Whā model of hauora, which four walls represent the dimensions of wellbeing?

  1. Taha whānau, taha wairua, taha kōrero, taha tinana
  2. Taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha whenua, taha wairua
  3. Taha hinengaro, taha whānau, taha wai, taha wairua
  4. Taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha whānau, taha wairua Correct answer.

Explanation

Whare Tapa Whā, developed by Mason Durie, uses a four-walled house to show that wellbeing stands on four equal supports: taha tinana (physical), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional), taha whānau (social and family) and taha wairua (spiritual). If one wall is weakened, the whole house is affected, which is why the four are treated as equally important.

Question 2Hauora

A student describes feeling strong and settled in their identity and connection to their ancestors. Which taha of Whare Tapa Whā does this best describe?

  1. Taha hinengaro
  2. Taha tinana
  3. Taha wairua Correct answer.
  4. Taha whānau

Explanation

Taha wairua refers to spiritual wellbeing, including a person's sense of meaning, values, identity and connection to ancestors, land and beliefs. Feeling settled in identity and ancestral connection is the defining example of this dimension rather than of physical, social or mental health.

Question 3Hauora

In Te Whare Tapa Whā, what is the role of the whenua (land) and the whare itself?

  1. They represent the physical body only
  2. They replace taha wairua as the fourth dimension
  3. They are optional extras added only for adults
  4. They are the foundations that connect the four walls to the environment Correct answer.

Explanation

Later presentations of Whare Tapa Whā place the four walls on a foundation of whenua, with the whare connected to the land and environment around it. This shows that a person's wellbeing is grounded in their place and surroundings, and that the four dimensions do not stand alone.

Question 4Hauora

Te Whare Tapa Whā is best described as which kind of model?

  1. A model that applies only to Māori patients in hospitals
  2. A fitness model focused on exercise and nutrition
  3. A medical model that ranks physical health above all other dimensions
  4. A model of hauora that treats the four dimensions as interconnected Correct answer.

Explanation

Whare Tapa Whā is a holistic model of hauora in which the four dimensions are interdependent, so that a change in one affects the others. It is used widely across health, education and social services, not confined to any single setting or ethnic group.

Question 5Hauora

Which statement best explains the concept of Te Whare Tapa Whā as a whare (house)?

  1. The roof represents physical health
  2. Only the front wall matters for wellbeing
  3. All four walls must be strong for the house to stand well Correct answer.
  4. Each wall can be removed without affecting the others

Explanation

The house metaphor shows that the four dimensions of hauora support one another, so a weakness in one wall weakens the whole whare. This is why the model encourages balanced attention to physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing.

Question 6Hauora

Which model of hauora is represented by a house with four walls?

  1. Te Pae Mahutonga
  2. Meihana model
  3. Whare Tapa Whā Correct answer.
  4. Te Wheke

Explanation

Whare Tapa Whā uses the image of a four-walled house to represent the dimensions of wellbeing. The other models use different symbols: Te Wheke uses an octopus, Te Pae Mahutonga uses the Southern Cross, and the Meihana model uses a canoe.

Question 7Hauora

In Te Wheke, what does each tentacle of the octopus represent?

  1. A separate government health service
  2. A type of physical illness
  3. A dimension of wellbeing connected to the head Correct answer.
  4. A stage of human growth

Explanation

Te Wheke, developed by Rose Pere, uses an octopus whose head represents the whānau and whose tentacles each represent a dimension of family wellbeing. The tentacles are interconnected through the head, showing that wellbeing is collective and interrelated.

Question 8Hauora

A whānau uses Te Wheke to discuss wellbeing. What does the head of the octopus symbolise?

  1. The whenua
  2. The whānau as the centre of wellbeing Correct answer.
  3. The individual's physical fitness
  4. The health system

Explanation

In Te Wheke the head of the octopus represents the whānau, the collective unit at the centre of wellbeing, with the tentacles radiating out as dimensions of that collective wellbeing. This emphasises that individual wellbeing is understood within the context of whānau.

Question 9Hauora

Which model uses the Southern Cross constellation to describe elements of Māori health promotion?

  1. Meihana model
  2. Te Wheke
  3. Te Pae Mahutonga Correct answer.
  4. Whare Tapa Whā

Explanation

Te Pae Mahutonga, developed by Mason Durie, uses the Southern Cross to represent key elements of Māori health promotion, including Mauriora, Waiora, Toiora and Te Oranga, with two pointers for Ngā Manukura and Te Mana Whakahaere. The constellation provides a navigational symbol for health promotion planning.

Question 10Hauora

In Te Pae Mahutonga, which pair of stars is most closely associated with leadership and community control?

  1. Toiora and Te Oranga
  2. Ngā Manukura and Te Mana Whakahaere Correct answer.
  3. Mauriora and Waiora
  4. Taha tinana and taha wairua

Explanation

Te Pae Mahutonga uses four central stars for Mauriora, Waiora, Toiora and Te Oranga, plus two pointer stars: Ngā Manukura for leadership and Te Mana Whakahaere for community control, autonomy and participation. The pointers show that leadership and community authority guide health promotion.

Question 11Hauora

Which statement best describes the relationship between Te Pae Mahutonga and health promotion?

  1. It is a list of notifiable diseases
  2. It is a framework for planning and evaluating health promotion in Māori communities Correct answer.
  3. It is a fitness programme for schools
  4. It is a clinical treatment protocol for hospitals

Explanation

Te Pae Mahutonga is a health promotion framework that identifies elements such as cultural identity, environmental health, healthy lifestyles and participation, guided by leadership and community control. It is used for planning and evaluating initiatives rather than for clinical treatment.

Question 12Hauora

In the Meihana model, what does the double-hulled canoe (waka) represent?

  1. A single cause of disease
  2. A government department
  3. A type of traditional food
  4. A journey of health and wellbeing with multiple influences Correct answer.

Explanation

The Meihana model uses a double-hulled waka to describe a journey of health and wellbeing, with the two hulls representing the individual and the whānau, and the wider environment influencing the voyage. It highlights how clinical and cultural factors work together in health care.

Question 13Hauora

A nurse uses the Meihana model in a consultation. Which approach best reflects the model?

  1. Referring the person to another service without discussion
  2. Considering the person, their whānau and the wider environment together Correct answer.
  3. Recording only the person's age and weight
  4. Treating only the physical symptoms presented

Explanation

The Meihana model encourages clinicians to consider the person, their whānau, cultural factors and the wider environment alongside clinical care. Using it well means taking a holistic view of the person's situation rather than focusing only on symptoms.

Question 14Hauora

Which statement best defines hauora?

  1. The absence of disease only
  2. A term for traditional herbal medicine
  3. A government health strategy
  4. A Māori concept of wellbeing covering physical, mental, social and spiritual dimensions Correct answer.

Explanation

Hauora is a Māori concept of wellbeing that encompasses multiple interconnected dimensions rather than just the absence of illness. It is commonly understood through models such as Whare Tapa Whā, which show physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing as linked.

Question 15Hauora

Which of the following is the best example of taha hinengaro being supported?

  1. Attending a whānau gathering
  2. Eating a balanced meal each day
  3. Participating in a spiritual blessing
  4. Talking through worries with a counsellor Correct answer.

Explanation

Taha hinengaro concerns mental and emotional wellbeing, including thoughts, feelings and the ability to express them. Talking through worries with a counsellor directly supports this dimension, whereas the other options mainly support physical, social or spiritual wellbeing.

Question 16Hauora

A community group wants to improve hauora using Te Pae Mahutonga. Which action best reflects Waiora?

  1. Organising a leadership training course
  2. Holding a cultural identity workshop
  3. Protecting a local river and reducing pollution Correct answer.
  4. Running a sports tournament

Explanation

Waiora in Te Pae Mahutonga relates to environmental health and the wellbeing of the physical environment, including water and land. Protecting a river and reducing pollution is a direct environmental health action, while the other options align with leadership, healthy lifestyles or cultural identity.

Question 17Hauora

Which dimension of Whare Tapa Whā is most directly strengthened by regular physical activity and nutritious kai?

  1. Taha wairua
  2. Taha whānau
  3. Taha hinengaro
  4. Taha tinana Correct answer.

Explanation

Taha tinana is the physical dimension of wellbeing, covering the body's health, growth and function. Regular physical activity and nutritious food directly support this dimension, although they can also have flow-on benefits for other dimensions.

Question 18Hauora

Which statement best explains why the four dimensions of Whare Tapa Whā are described as interdependent?

  1. Only one dimension can be strong at a time
  2. A change in one dimension can affect the others Correct answer.
  3. Each dimension must be assessed by a different doctor
  4. The dimensions apply only to children

Explanation

Interdependence means the dimensions influence one another, so for example ongoing stress can affect sleep and physical health, and isolation can affect mental wellbeing. The house metaphor captures this: weakening one wall places strain on the whole structure.

Question 19Hauora

A whānau notices an elder is lonely after moving away from family. Which taha is most directly affected?

  1. Taha whānau Correct answer.
  2. Taha hinengaro
  3. Taha wairua
  4. Taha tinana

Explanation

Taha whānau concerns social wellbeing, belonging and relationships with family and community. Loneliness following separation from family directly reflects a weakening of this social dimension, even though it may later affect other dimensions too.

Question 20Hauora

Which pair correctly matches a Te Pae Mahutonga star with its focus?

  1. Waiora - healthy lifestyles
  2. Te Oranga - environmental health
  3. Mauriora - cultural identity and access to Māori culture Correct answer.
  4. Toiora - community leadership

Explanation

Mauriora relates to cultural identity and wellbeing, including access to and participation in Māori culture. The other pairs are mismatched: Waiora relates to environmental health, Toiora to healthy lifestyles, and Te Oranga to participation in society.

Question 21Hauora

Which statement about the use of hauora models in Aotearoa New Zealand health care is most accurate?

  1. They can guide mainstream services to provide culturally responsive care Correct answer.
  2. They apply only to mental health services
  3. They are used only in Māori-specific services
  4. They have been replaced entirely by biomedical models

Explanation

Māori health models such as Whare Tapa Whā are used across mainstream and Māori-specific services to support culturally responsive, holistic care. Their use reflects the expectation that health services consider te ao Māori perspectives on wellbeing.

Question 22Hauora

Which of these best describes taha wairua?

  1. Relationships with whānau and community
  2. The physical body and its functions
  3. Spiritual wellbeing, values and a sense of purpose Correct answer.
  4. Mental processes such as memory and reasoning

Explanation

Taha wairua is the spiritual dimension of wellbeing, covering values, beliefs, a sense of purpose and connection to identity, ancestors and the environment. It is distinct from physical, social and mental dimensions, although it interacts with them.

Question 23Hauora

A school designs a hauora programme using Whare Tapa Whā. Which set of activities best reflects all four dimensions?

  1. Daily fitness and healthy lunches only
  2. Lessons about local tikanga only
  3. Peer support groups and fitness only
  4. Daily fitness, healthy lunches, peer support groups and opportunities to learn about local tikanga Correct answer.

Explanation

A balanced programme under Whare Tapa Whā addresses all four dimensions: physical activity and nutrition for taha tinana, peer support for taha whānau, and learning local tikanga for taha wairua, with reflection and emotional support for taha hinengaro. Covering only one or two dimensions leaves other walls weak.

Question 24Hauora

Which statement best explains the connection between whenua and hauora in Whare Tapa Whā?

  1. Whenua replaces taha whānau
  2. Whenua provides the foundation that grounds the four dimensions Correct answer.
  3. Whenua is irrelevant to wellbeing
  4. Whenua only matters for physical activity

Explanation

Whenua is the foundation on which the whare of wellbeing stands, reflecting the importance of land, place and environment to Māori wellbeing. Connection to whenua supports identity and belonging, which flow into the four dimensions rather than replacing any of them.

Question 25Hauora

In Te Wheke, which statement best explains why the tentacles are connected through the head?

  1. To show that wellbeing is individual only
  2. To show that only one dimension matters
  3. To show that dimensions of wellbeing are interconnected within the whānau Correct answer.
  4. To show that dimensions of wellbeing are separate and unrelated

Explanation

The tentacles of Te Wheke all connect to the head, which represents the whānau, showing that the dimensions of wellbeing are interrelated and experienced collectively. This contrasts with treating wellbeing as a set of separate, individual factors.

Question 26Hauora

Which Māori concept is best translated as the spiritual dimension of a person's wellbeing?

  1. Taha hinengaro
  2. Taha wairua Correct answer.
  3. Taha tinana
  4. Taha whānau

Explanation

Taha wairua refers to the spiritual dimension of hauora, encompassing connection to ancestors, whenua, and te ao Māori beliefs. It is distinct from the physical, mental, and social dimensions covered by the other options.

Question 27Hauora

A kaumātua explains that a person's mauri is weakened. Which understanding of mauri is most consistent with Māori health perspectives?

  1. A person's genealogical record
  2. A person's physical fitness score
  3. A person's income and housing status
  4. A person's life force or vital essence Correct answer.

Explanation

Mauri is understood as the life force or vital essence that gives a person, place, or object its living quality. In hauora contexts, protecting and restoring mauri is central to wellbeing.

Question 28Hauora

In Māori health frameworks, what does the term 'whānau' most broadly refer to?

  1. Only parents and their dependent children
  2. A person's individual spiritual beliefs
  3. The extended family group including multiple generations Correct answer.
  4. A government health funding body

Explanation

Whānau in hauora contexts refers to the extended family and kinship group, often spanning several generations, not just a nuclear household. Whānau wellbeing is treated as collective rather than purely individual.

Question 29Hauora

Which term describes the principle of guardianship, where people act as caretakers of the environment and people for future generations?

  1. Manaakitanga
  2. Kaitiakitanga Correct answer.
  3. Rangatiratanga
  4. Whanaungatanga

Explanation

Kaitiakitanga is the principle and practice of guardianship, including stewardship of whenua, water, and resources for future generations. It is often linked to hauora through environmental wellbeing.

Question 30Hauora

A marae committee organises a working bee to repair the wharekai before a hui. Which concept does this action most strongly demonstrate?

  1. Whakapapa
  2. Kaitiakitanga Correct answer.
  3. Tapu
  4. Manaakitanga

Explanation

Kaitiakitanga involves active guardianship and care for community assets and the environment. Repairing shared facilities for future use reflects this stewardship role.

Question 31Hauora

Which action best demonstrates manaakitanga in a hauora setting?

  1. Recording a patient's blood pressure accurately
  2. Completing mandatory training on infection control
  3. Writing a referral letter to a specialist
  4. Greeting a visiting whānau, offering kai, and ensuring their comfort Correct answer.

Explanation

Manaakitanga is about hospitality, generosity, and caring for others with respect. Welcoming whānau and providing food and comfort directly expresses this value.

Question 32Hauora

What does the concept of 'te whare tapa whā' literally describe?

  1. A four-walled house representing four dimensions of health Correct answer.
  2. A constellation used for navigation
  3. An octopus with eight tentacles
  4. A canoe representing a health journey

Explanation

Te whare tapa whā is commonly described as a four-walled house, with each wall standing for a dimension of hauora. The metaphor stresses that all walls are needed for the house to stand.

Question 33Hauora

Which term refers to a person's genealogy or ancestral lineage, which is central to identity in Māori health frameworks?

  1. Mana
  2. Whakapapa Correct answer.
  3. Wairuatanga
  4. Whanaungatanga

Explanation

Whakapapa is genealogy, recording descent lines that connect people to ancestors, whenua, and atua. Knowing whakapapa supports identity and belonging, which contribute to hauora.

Question 34Hauora

A young person learns about their tūpuna and feels a stronger sense of belonging. Which dimension of hauora is most directly strengthened?

  1. Taha hinengaro only
  2. Taha tinana
  3. Taha whānau only
  4. Taha wairua Correct answer.

Explanation

Connection to tūpuna and identity is primarily spiritual, strengthening taha wairua. A stronger sense of belonging also supports other dimensions, but the direct link to ancestors is spiritual.

Question 35Hauora

Which statement best describes the role of whenua in Māori understandings of hauora?

  1. Whenua is a purely economic resource with no health relevance
  2. Whenua provides identity, belonging, and a sense of connection that supports wellbeing Correct answer.
  3. Whenua is only relevant to farming and land use
  4. Whenua refers only to soil quality tested by scientists

Explanation

Whenua is understood as more than land; it is a source of identity, belonging, and connection to ancestors. This relationship is seen as foundational to hauora.

Question 36Hauora

Which statement best explains the concept of 'te ao Māori' in the context of hauora?

  1. A specific hospital ward for Māori patients
  2. A Māori worldview in which health is interconnected across physical, social, spiritual, and environmental domains Correct answer.
  3. A type of traditional medicine used only by tohunga
  4. A government policy for Māori health funding

Explanation

Te ao Māori refers to a Māori worldview, which frames health as holistic and interconnected. Hauora models reflect this by linking individual wellbeing to whānau, whenua, and wairua.

Question 37Hauora

A community health worker uses a Māori health model to plan services. Which principle best supports partnership with whānau in decision-making?

  1. Tapu
  2. Mauri
  3. Noa
  4. Rangatiratanga Correct answer.

Explanation

Rangatiratanga concerns self-determination and the right of whānau and hapū to control their own affairs. In health services, it supports genuine partnership and shared decision-making.

Question 38Hauora

Which statement best describes the concept of 'mana' in relation to hauora?

  1. Mana is a type of physical illness
  2. Mana is a measurement of body mass
  3. Mana is prestige, authority, and spiritual power that can be enhanced or diminished by actions Correct answer.
  4. Mana is purely about financial wealth

Explanation

Mana encompasses prestige, authority, and spiritual power, and it can be upheld or diminished through how people are treated. Health services that respect dignity help uphold mana.

Question 39Hauora

A health service ensures Māori clients can speak te reo Māori and follow tikanga during appointments. Which outcome does this most directly support?

  1. Faster diagnostic testing
  2. Lower medication costs
  3. Cultural safety and mana enhancement Correct answer.
  4. Reduced waiting times

Explanation

Supporting te reo and tikanga in clinical settings reflects cultural safety and upholds the mana of clients. It signals respect for identity, which supports engagement and hauora.

Question 40Hauora

Which term describes the state of being ordinary or free from restriction, often used in contrast with tapu?

  1. Mauri
  2. Wairua
  3. Noa Correct answer.
  4. Tapu

Explanation

Noa refers to the ordinary, unrestricted state and is often paired with tapu in Māori frameworks. Restoring noa after tapu situations is part of maintaining balance and wellbeing.

Question 41Hauora

A kaumātua is invited to open a new health clinic with a karakia. Which purpose does the karakia most directly serve?

  1. It measures the physical safety of the site
  2. It acknowledges spiritual dimensions and seeks protection and guidance Correct answer.
  3. It provides a clinical assessment of the building
  4. It replaces the need for informed consent

Explanation

Karakia are used to acknowledge the spiritual realm, seek guidance, and protect people and places. In a health setting, this reflects taha wairua and tikanga.

Question 42Hauora

Which statement best explains why Māori health models are often described as holistic?

  1. They focus only on physical symptoms and treatment
  2. They rely only on traditional medicine
  3. They exclude whānau from the care process
  4. They consider physical, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental factors together Correct answer.

Explanation

Holistic models treat health as interconnected across multiple dimensions, including tinana, hinengaro, whānau, wairua, and whenua. This contrasts with approaches that focus only on physical symptoms.

Question 43Hauora

A service uses the phrase 'by Māori, for Māori' when designing a programme. Which principle does this most closely reflect?

  1. Kaitiakitanga
  2. Whakapapa
  3. Manaakitanga
  4. Rangatiratanga Correct answer.

Explanation

'By Māori, for Māori' reflects rangatiratanga, meaning Māori control and self-determination over services affecting them. It emphasises leadership and decision-making authority.

Question 44Hauora

Which statement best explains the relationship between tapu and noa in maintaining balance?

  1. Noa is always harmful and should be avoided
  2. Tapu and noa are identical states with no distinction
  3. Tapu only applies to food preparation
  4. Tapu and noa are complementary states that must be kept in balance through tikanga Correct answer.

Explanation

Tapu and noa are complementary concepts: tapu marks the sacred or restricted, while noa restores the ordinary state. Tikanga guides the transitions between them to maintain balance and wellbeing.

Question 45Hauora

A researcher argues that measuring hauora should include whānau wellbeing, not just individual outcomes. Which reasoning best supports this argument?

  1. Only clinical measures are valid indicators of health
  2. Whānau wellbeing is irrelevant to individual health
  3. In te ao Māori, the individual is understood within the collective, so whānau outcomes shape personal hauora Correct answer.
  4. Whānau data is easier to collect than individual data

Explanation

Māori health frameworks position the person within whānau, hapū, and iwi, so collective wellbeing is part of individual hauora. Measuring only individuals misses this relational dimension.

Question 46Hauora

Which statement best explains how colonisation has affected Māori health outcomes?

  1. It improved access to traditional healing
  2. It only affected urban populations
  3. It disrupted land, language, and social structures, contributing to health inequities Correct answer.
  4. It had no measurable effect on health

Explanation

Colonisation involved land loss, suppression of te reo, and disruption of whānau and tikanga, which contributed to ongoing health inequities. Understanding this history is part of analysing hauora in Aotearoa.

Question 47Hauora

A health provider wants to reduce inequities for Māori clients. Which approach is most consistent with Māori health frameworks?

  1. Delivering the same service to everyone regardless of need
  2. Removing cultural content to keep services neutral
  3. Focusing only on individual behaviour change
  4. Designing services with whānau and Māori communities from the outset Correct answer.

Explanation

Māori health frameworks emphasise partnership, rangatiratanga, and whānau involvement in service design. Co-design with communities addresses systemic inequities more effectively than uniform provision.

Question 48Hauora

Which statement best explains the concept of 'whanaungatanga' in a clinical setting?

  1. It involves building relationships and kinship-like connections that support trust and care Correct answer.
  2. It requires staff to avoid personal interaction with clients
  3. It is a diagnostic tool for mental illness
  4. It refers to the physical layout of a clinic

Explanation

Whanaungatanga is about relationships, connection, and mutual support, often likened to kinship ties. In clinical settings, it builds trust and supports engagement with whānau.

Question 49Hauora

A whānau asks that a mokopuna be included in discussions about their grandmother's care. Which principle best supports this request?

  1. Mauri
  2. Noa
  3. Whanaungatanga Correct answer.
  4. Tapu

Explanation

Whanaungatanga recognises the importance of family relationships and collective involvement in care. Including the mokopuna reflects this relational principle.

Question 50Hauora

In te whare tapa whā, the four walls represent taha wairua, taha hinengaro, taha tinana and taha whānau. What happens to a person's hauora when one wall is weakened?

  1. The whole whare becomes unbalanced, because the dimensions depend on each other Correct answer.
  2. Only the weakened dimension is affected, while the others stay strong
  3. The person's hauora is unaffected until all four walls weaken
  4. The remaining three walls automatically strengthen to compensate

Explanation

Te whare tapa whā uses a house metaphor in which each wall supports the others, so a weakness in one dimension affects the stability of the whole. This reflects a holistic view of hauora rather than separate, independent parts. The model therefore encourages care that addresses all four dimensions together.