Rehabilitation Models from Aotearoa New Zealand

The child protection system in Australia has not yet produced a published model of rehabilitation that guides early intervention therapy. It appears appropriate to investigate intervention models that are derived from non-European cultures. This chapter describes two rehabilitation models for vulnerable families that are based on traditional Māori values and practices, and that are used in Aotearoa New Zealand to improve harmony within and between families. The first model is a kaimahi model that is used to support functioning of intact families. The second model is a whanau-ngatanga model that is suitable for vulnerable families where there is dispute about suitable parenting practices. Both models are implemented using members of the Māori community.