Living in Balance: The Wisdom of Te Whare Tapa Whā
Whether you're here to nurture your own wellbeing or to bring a meaningful tool into your workplace, below you'll find an introduction to Te Whare Tapa Whā. It’s a simple yet powerful way to support personal growth and start important conversations, empowering people to take action on their wellbeing.
Te Whare Tapa Whā is a model I’ve deeply connected with over the years. The more I learn about Te Ao Māori, the Māori worldview, the more I value this model. In Te Ao Māori, health isn’t just the absence of illness; it’s about living in harmony with every part of life—land, people, and spirit.
Developed by Sir Mason Durie in 1984, Te Whare Tapa Whā emphasises the need to balance four key areas of wellness. Just as a house (whare) needs four strong walls to stand, us humans need balance across these four pillars to thrive. In Māori culture, a whare is a place of shelter, connection, and safety. Each wall represents an essential part of who we are. When one wall weakens, it affects our entire wellbeing.
Here’s a closer look at these walls/pillars from this perspective:
Taha Tinana - Physical Wellbeing
Taha Tinana refers to the physical aspects of health—looking after your body so it can function at its best. This includes exercise, nutrition, sleep, and regular health check-ups. In Te Ao Māori, the body is seen as a taonga (treasure), and caring for it honours not only yourself but also your ancestors (tūpuna) and whānau (family). A strong Taha Tinana means more than just the absence of illness; it’s about feeling energised and capable in daily life. When we take care of our bodies, we strengthen our foundation for overall wellbeing.
Taha Hinengaro - Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
Taha Hinengaro is about your mind and emotions, and the way you process the world. In Te Ao Māori, thoughts and feelings aren’t just internal – they connect with your heart (ngākau) and impact the way you interact with others. This pillar acknowledges the importance of expressing your emotions and thoughts in a way that’s healthy and authentic. It’s about building emotional strength, being able to cope with stress, and understanding that mental wellbeing is just as important as physical health.
Taha Whānau - Social Wellbeing
Taha Whānau focuses on our sense of belonging, the relationships we have with family, friends, and communities. Connection to others is vital to our wellbeing, as it provides support, love, and understanding. This pillar emphasises the importance of nurturing those relationships and finding strength in the collective, reminding us that we don’t need to face life’s challenges alone.
Taha Wairua - Spiritual Wellbeing
Taha Wairua is a vital aspect of health in Te Ao Māori, encompassing a sense of purpose, identity, and connection to something greater. For some, this is about faith or spirituality, but it’s also about understanding who you are, where you come from, and your place in the world. Taha Wairua acknowledges the deep connection to whenua (land) and the spiritual ties to ancestors (tūpuna). It’s about feeling grounded, knowing that there is more to life than the physical, and finding meaning in your journey.
Whenua - The Land
In the Te Whare Tapa Whā model, whenua (the land) is positioned at the base of the model to signify its fundamental role in holistic wellbeing. It speaks to the importance of grounding ourselves in our environment and acknowledging the deep, reciprocal relationship between people and the land.
Applying Te Whare Tapa Whā
Below you will find a step by step guide on how you can apply the Te Whare Tapa Whā model in the workplace to promote learning. You will also find a step by step guide on how you can use this model for self-reflection and personal growth.
How to deliver a useful conversation around Te Whare Tapa Whā in the workplace ( in person or online )
Introduce the Intention: Begin your conversation or workshop by clarifying the purpose and introducing the topic of wellbeing. I like to start with the question, “What does wellbeing look and feel like to you?” Have team members bring a pen and paper to take notes and jot down their reflections. You may also like to open the session with a Karakia (prayer).
Establish Psychological Safety: Emphasise the importance of respecting each other’s viewpoints and experiences. Make it clear that sharing openly with the group is optional and to only share what feels comfortable.
Introduce Te Whare Tapa Whā: Use the explanation provided in the resource above to describe the model and each of the four pillars. Have team members write down what they currently do under each of the four pillars. Encourage people to get honest with themselves here. This helps to identify which walls/pillars need more attention.
Organise the Discussion: Use a whiteboard or a blank slide deck (for online settings) and create four headings: Physical, Mental & Emotional, Social, and Spiritual. Divide the board into four sections.
Discuss and Capture: Ask the team to share what they do to support their Physical Health. Capture these ideas on the whiteboard. Repeat this process for Mental & Emotional, Social, and Spiritual pillars. Note that some wellness activities may overlap between pillars. The aim here is to create a diverse list of wellbeing activities under each pillar. Have fun with this. I have found people generally enjoy sharing what makes them feel good.
Reflect and Plan: To wrap up, have participants reflect on which pillar they need to nurture and decide on an action they will take based on the discussion. Encourage them to introduce one new healthy behaviour to promote a more balanced life. A great question here is, “What action will you take based on what you’ve learned today?”
By doing this exercise we are taking a moment to pause and reflect on what we are doing (or not doing) to look after ourselves. It gives us an opportunity to see where we need to better focus our attention. Having this discussion in the workplace allows us to learn more about our colleagues which supports in building meaningful connection and therefore a healthier culture, as well as inspires us try other wellness activities that spark our interest.
How to use the Te Whare Tapa Whā for reflection and personal growth
Set the Scene: Create a calming environment for your reflection. Grab a tea, light a candle, or find a quiet space where you feel comfortable. This helps set a thoughtful tone for your personal reflection on wellbeing.
Define Your Purpose: Answer the following questions: What makes wellbeing important to me? and “What does wellbeing look and feel like to me?” Write down your reflections.
Draw Your Wellness Map: On a piece of paper, create four sections and label them: Physical, Mental & Emotional, Social, and Spiritual.
List Your Practices: Under each heading, list the activities you practice that support each of the pillars. Note that some activities might fit into multiple categories. Your goal is to create a broad overview of your current practices. It is important to be honest with yourself here so that you have a clear picture of how balanced or unbalanced your pillars are.
Visualise Your Optimal Wellbeing: Reflect on what each pillar would look like if it you were at your most optimal state of wellbeing. Consider what would sit under each of the pillars. You may like to write these down in a different colour.
Plan Your Next Steps: After reviewing your lists and visualising your optimal state of wellness, identify which area needs more focus and choose an action step to improve your balance. Consider adding one new healthy habit. Reflect on the question, “What practical and realistic step will I take based on my insights today?”
Close Up: Conclude your reflection by thanking yourself for taking the time to focus on your wellbeing. Acknowledge your effort and appreciate the commitment you’ve made to your personal growth. Self-compassion is key when it comes to living a flourishing life.
This article was written with care & intention driven by my psychology learnings and personal experiences as a Workplace Wellbeing Specialist & Life Coach. If you would like to delve into this topic further or explore how my services may support you & your team, you can book a free, non-obligation discovery call here.
