About Aukati Kai Paipa

The Beginning
In 1998, the Aukati KaiPaipa 2000 pilot program was developed to test the viability of implementing an internationally proven, effective smoking cessation intervention in a Maori health setting.

Smoking cessation programmes that combine counseling with Nicotine Replacement Therapy had been shown to be particularly effective. However no cessation programmes of this kind had ever been delivered specifically to Maori by Maori.

The objectives of the pilot program and the evaluation were:

  1. To determine weather it reduced smoking prevalence
  2. Was a effective channel for delivering this intervention
  3. Was culturally acceptable
  4. Was cost effective
  5. To inform decisions about possible expansion of the program following the pilot

The Pilot program run from August 1999 - 2001 with seven Maori Health providers selected to deliver the project:

  • Kaitaia Te Hiku o Te Ika
  • Kawakawa Hauora Whanui
  • Auckland Ngati Whatua o Orakei
  • Hamilton Kirikiriroa
  • Te Puke Poutiri Trust
  • Wellington Kokiri Trust
  • Christchurch Hauora Matauraka

In the evaluation that followed, it was found that the programme was acceptable to Maori participants, accessible and culturally appropriate as well as being cost effective.

It was also found to be highly effective for Maori with a quit rate significantly higher (29%) that the quit rate recorded for Maori woman smokers in the general population (12.5%).

Following these positive outcomes, it was recommended that programme is expanded.

Today there are more than 30 Aukati KaiPaipa sites throughout Aotearoa.

More further information; click here to read the full evaluation report.