About Aukati KaiPaipa

The Beginning

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

Smoking cessation programmes that combine counselling with NRT (patches, gum and/or lozenges) had shown to be particularly effective. However no cessation programme of this kind had ever been delivered specifically to Māori by Māori.

The objectives of the pilot programme and the evaluation were to determine whether it:

  1. reduced smoking prevalence
  2. was a effective channel for delivering this intervention
  3. was culturally acceptable
  4. was cost effective
  5. informed decisions about possible expansion of the programme following the pilot.

The pilot programme ran from August 1999 - 2001, with seven Māori 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, it found the programme was acceptable to Māori participants, accessible and culturally appropriate, as well as being cost-effective.

It also found the programme was effective in reducing smoking prevalence in Māori women. Women in the programme had a quit rate that was significantly higher than Māori women smokers in the general population (29% VS 12.5%). Following these positive outcomes, it was recommended that programme be expanded.

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

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