Te Wheke
Māori health models
Traditional Māori health acknowledges the link between the mind, the spirit, the human connection with whānau, and the physical world in a way that is seamless and uncontrived. Until the introduction of Western medicine there was no division between them.
The concept of Te Wheke, the octopus, is to define family health. The head of the octopus represents te whānau, the eyes of the octopus as waiora (total wellbeing for the individual and family) and each of the eight tentacles representing a specific dimension of health. The dimensions are interwoven and this represents the close relationship of the tentacles.
Thanks again to the ministry of health fo rthe use of this panui, you can get more info and complete Te Wheke model at http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-health/maori-health-models/maori-health-models-te-wheke