Te Ūkaipō: A vision and values framework

Te Ūkaipō was developed as the model of care for school based health services and funded as part of the Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora School Based Health Services Enhancement Programme from 2021-2025.

Who can use Te Ūkaipō

Te Ūkaipō is for all those working in youth health wanting a culturally responsive approach to rangatahi that is based on their needs and aspirations and is grounded in te ao Māori and meets Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities.

Developed together

Youth Health Aotearoa (formerly SYHPANZ) was funded by Te Whatu Ora to support three advisory groups: Te Tatau Kitenga, Te Rōpū Mātanga o Rangatahi, and Māngai Whakatipu.

Te Rōpū Mātanga o Rangatahi, a group of experienced Māori and Pasifika practitioners, led the development of Te Ūkaipō and continues to guide its use.

They were supported by respected youth health professionals in Te Tatau Kitenga and by Māngai Whakatipu, the Youth Advisory Group. Māngai Whakatipu offered valuable advice on how Te Ūkaipō could strengthen School Based Health Services, drawing from their lived experiences and diverse perspectives.

Where to find Te Ūkaipō information and help with implementing it

Materials to support the implementation of Te Ūkaipō are available on Te Whatu Ora website and more are being developed. Many of these build on Te Ūkaipō wānanga that many youth health nurses attended in 2025.

He Kōhanga Whakaruruhau - the Youth Health Nursing Practice and Development Guide has been created to support and strengthen the vital role of youth health nurses and all kaimahi working alongside young people.