Nau Mai, Haere Mai

History of Te Ao Marama

Te Ao Marama, (the New Zealand Māori Dental Association) was established at the first national Māori hui (gathering) for oranga niho (dental health) which was held at Ohinemutu, Rotorua in February 1995. This hui was called to disseminate the results of a Māori oral health research project undertaken by Otago University dental student Pauline Koopu and supervised by John Broughton. This summer studentship was funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand. The hui was unanimous in its decision to form a new national Māori health organization

The kaupapa of the new organisation was, Hei oranga niho mo te iwi Māori (Oral health for Māori). The foundation president was Mrs Inez Kingi (a former school dental nurse); the kaumatua (elder) was Mr Pihopa Kingi; and the kaiwhakahaere (executive director) was Mr John Broughton. The name, Te Ao Marama was given to the new organisation by Mr Pihopa Kingi from the name of the whare (building) in which the first hui was held.

At the second national hui 12 months later, the objectives and constitution of the new organisation were ratified by the membership. The objectives were to:

  1. uphold Māori  oral health as guaranteed under Te Tiriti o Waitangi;
  2. pursue the delivery of oral health services to Māori at the optimum level;
  3. safeguard and promote the oral health of te iwi Māori; and
  4. promote the opportunity for te iwi Māori to access quality oral health services.


The constitution stated:

Membership shall be open to Māori school dental therapists, Māori dental surgeons, Māori dental specialists, Māori dental hygientists, Māori dental technicians, Māori dental assistants, Māori dental administrators, Māori students of dental science, Māori health community workers, Māori health researchers, other Māori health professionals and Māori people committed to hauora niho. Membership shall also be open to other health professionals who have been nominated and approved by two thirds majority, for membership at the Annual General Meeting of Te Ao Marama.