Step into a world of support, connection and empowerment with Rātā Kouru Ora. Peer support involves a support relationship where two (or more) people give and receive help. It is based on key principles, including respect, shared responsibility, mutuality and choice, and involves sharing experiences (lived experience/experiential knowledge) and fostering a journey towards collective wellbeing.
At the heart of Rātā Kouru Ora, inspiration is drawn from the six pathways of Whiti Te Rā, a te āo Māori framework of Hauora (wellbeing). These pathways provide a guiding light for peerbased recovery support, shaping the foundation for peer practice within The Salvation Army services. Embracing a Māori worldview, this model connects into traditional understandings and pathways to wellbeing, fostering exploration and discussion of Māori cultural concepts inherent in the pursuit of mauri ora, or wellbeing.
Developed in collaboration with Dr. Andre Mclachlan, Rātā Kouru Ora takes its name from the crown of the rata tree, symbolising life-giving qualities like shelter, support, friendship, loyalty, trust and dependability. This model builds a foundation of understanding, empathy and respect within peer relationships, aligning seamlessly with The Salvation Army’s core values which provide ‘guiding stars’ for peer-based recovery support.
The table shows the pathways to wellbeing within Rātā Kouru Ora:
- Specific pathway goals and examples of ways that each pathway could inform and weave through peer work, building sustained recovery capital with tangata whai ora.
- The tikanga practices that will be incorporated and practised alongside peer support work.
Step into the embrace of Rātā Kouru Ora—where every peer relationship becomes a catalyst for wellbeing and support for pae ora (healthy futures).