New Research Highlights Wāhine Māori Experiences With Eating Disorders to Improve Healthcare

A University of Auckland researcher is providing vital new insights into the experiences of wāhine Māori living with eating disorders, aiming to improve how the health system supports Māori communities. Reported by Te Ao Māori News on Sunday, September 13, 2026, the research by lecturer Rebecca MacKenzie (Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Porou) seeks to update outdated data from the Ministry of Health, which has relied on figures more than two decades old. MacKenzie, whose PhD research was shaped by her own recovery from anorexia, interviewed 12 wāhine Māori to understand the drivers behind their conditions. Her findings indicate that for many, eating disorders are not simply about food or body image, but are deeply linked to struggles with identity, racism, and intergenerational trauma. The research highlights how colonisation has disrupted traditional relationships with kai and whānau, imposing external standards of beauty that can impact Māori mental health. According to the report, national data from 2003 and 2004 showed Māori had a higher lifetime prevalence of eating disorders compared to non-Māori, yet current treatment models often fail to reflect these statistics. MacKenzie notes that factors like childhood food insecurity and the pressure to feel 'Māori enough' play significant roles in how these illnesses manifest. She advocates for a targeted workforce that understands the celebratory role of kai in Māori culture while addressing the systemic structures that contribute to harm. The Government is currently working toward an improved strategy for 2025, with Health New Zealand increasing annual funding for eating disorder services to over $23 million. MacKenzie encourages those struggling to seek help early and advocate for themselves, emphasizing that recovery involves addressing broader systemic impacts rather than just individual symptoms. Support is available through the Eating Disorder Association NZ and the 1737 helpline.