The concept of wellbeing encompasses the physical, mental and emotional, social and spiritual dimensions of health. Hauora is a Māori philosophy of health that is based on a holistic health model. In this unit students explore hauora by observing models such as Dr Mason Durie’s whare tapawha.

Students are introduced to the concept of animal sentience and explore the Five Domains Model of animal welfare, learning about what animals need to stay healthy and happy.

These needs include food, water, a suitable place to live, good health and the ability to express their natural behaviours, all of which have an impact on their mental wellbeing. Students then design their own holistic health models illustrating the dimensions of animal wellbeing.