Perceptions of Te Rongoā Kākāriki : green prescription health service among Māori in the Waikato and Ngāti Tūwharetoa rohe

Why MÄori participation is low in the national Te RongoÄ KÄkÄriki: Green Prescription (GRx) programme is not well understood. A modified GRx programme included in Te Wai o Rona: Diabetes Prevention Strategy, a community- based MÄori diabetes prevention trial, took place in the Waikato and NgÄti TÅ«wharetoa rohe for adult MÄori between 2004 and 2006. The aim of this study was to explore with those involved what they perceived would encourage MÄori to participate in the GRx. Sixty kanohi-ki-te-kanohi interviews undertaken with participants at high risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease (n = 27) and their whÄnau (n = 9), MÄori community health workers (n = 14), and health professionals (n = 10) revealed five themes of importance for MÄori participation in the GRx: i) purpose, ii) low awareness, iii) preference for kanohi-kite-kanohi interactions, iv) MÄori community health worker credibility, and v) strong network ties. A mixed- methods randomised trial is recommended to compare kanohi-ki-te-kanohi and waea modes of delivery for GRx among adult MÄori.