Wellbeing of individuals, whānau and communities
Wellbeing as a whare, not a checklist
In this domain the exam tests whether you can explain wellbeing holistically and relationally, using models such as Te Whare Tapa Whā. Hauora is often described through four dimensions: taha tinana (physical), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional), taha whānau (social and family), and taha wairua (spiritual). The image is a whare: if one wall is weakened, the whole house is affected. Wellbeing is therefore not the absence of illness; it includes meaningful connections, a sense of identity, and the capacity to participate in everyday life.
Individuals, whānau and communities
Individual wellbeing is shaped by whānau and community conditions-housing, income, safety, belonging, and access to services. Whānau wellbeing is collective: it includes the quality of relationships, caregiving, and the ability to meet obligations and aspirations. Community wellbeing includes social cohesion, trust, civic participation, and fair access to resources. Strengths-based language matters: describe what supports wellbeing, not only what is missing.
Worked example
Ana, 15, misses school to care for younger siblings. She feels exhausted, disconnected from her church, and embarrassed about asking for help. Using Te Whare Tapa Whā: taha tinana-sleep and food are compromised; taha hinengaro-stress and low mood; taha whānau-caregiving is both a strength and a strain; taha wairua-loss of connection to faith and identity. At community level, transport costs and limited after-school care shape her choices. A strong answer names the interconnections and avoids blaming Ana or her family.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating the four dimensions as separate boxes instead of interconnected walls.
- Ignoring wairua or reducing it to religion only.
- Assuming community wellbeing is simply the sum of individual wellbeing.
- Using deficit language that labels whānau as “dysfunctional”.