Kato Fetu

A five-year Pacific mental health and addiction research agenda 

As mandated in Te Kokiri, Le Va was commissioned by the Ministry of Health to develop a research agenda that would identify priorities for mental health and addiction research for New Zealand's Pacific popuation to be implemented in the next one to five years.

The development of Kato Fetu presents a significant step towards a more strategic and systematic approach to building a comprehensive and relevant Pacific body of knowledge.

Kato (meaning bag or basket) and Fetu (meaning stars) translates conceptually to a basket or container of stars. The vision of Kato Fetu is: "A constellation of new knowledge to illuminate and help navigate the way forward for the Pacific mental health and addiction sector".

The strategic and consultative nature of Kato Fetu acknowledges the importance of developing relevant research findings. Service provider and community engagement are crucial to the translation of research to frontline services.

Download Kato Fetu, Setting a Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Research Agenda Summary. (PDF, 382KB).

 

Negotiating space for indigenous theorising in Pacific mental health and addictions

An occasional paper by Karlo Mila-Schaaf and Maui Hudson.

Le Va is always looking for ways to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the sector. We are also acutely aware of the many challenges that face our workforce.

This occasional paper on the ‘Negotiated Space' by Karlo Mila-Schaaf and Maui Hudson explores the concept of the "negotiated space", a model developed by Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Maui Hudson and colleagues describing the interface between different worldviews and knowledge systems.

The authors argue that this is primarily a conceptual space of intersection in-between different ways of knowing and meaning making, such as, the Pacific indigenous reference and the dominant Western mental health paradigm of the bio-psycho-social.

This discussion paper theorises multiple patterns of possibility of resolutions and relationships within the negotiated space relevant to research, evaluation, model, service development and quality assurance within Pacific mental health. This concept also philosophically underpins the Kao Fetu Pacific Mental Health and Addictions Research Agenda, also developed by Karlo Mila-Schaaf.

This paper is best summed up by Dr Monique Faleafa in the Foreword:

        "This paper should resonate with every Pacific person, from the ardent futurist to the hardened traditionalist...There will always be a place for the wisdom that comes with years of training, knowledge and experience. There is nothing wrong with preferring the tried and true... Equally, if you relish the unknown opportunities and hazards...than this paper should definitely whet your appetite."

This paper is available from Le Va in printed or electronic (PDF) versions. For a printed copy, please contact Manase Lua. To view or download the electronic version, please link  to our publications library.

Page last updated: 23 June 2009