Pātea: A World-First Māori Gambling Harm Digital Platform Launches Across Aotearoa
Pātea, meaning to be free or lifted of burden, is an indigenously designed, built, and operated digital platform, the first of its kind globally. It was co-designed with whānau who have lived experience of gambling harm, ensuring every part of the app feels supportive, culturally grounded, and whānau friendly.
Morris Pita, CEO of the Māori-owned and operated software firm Tai Pari Mōhio Ltd, is excited by the impact of digital technology as a tool to reduce gambling harm.
"It has been an incredible experience for our tech and data science team to take their unique blend of technical and cultural skills, and use these to build a state-of-the-art cloud platform and application - deploying agentic AI to deliver 24/7 online support to whānau suffering from the impact of gambling harm."
With the rapid rise of online gambling and digital casinos, whānau are being targeted like never before. Māori communities, already disproportionately affected by gambling harm, are particularly at risk.
"We see the harm gambling has every day in our communities," says Jason Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Hāpai Te Hauora. "The environment is changing fast, and we need new tools that meet whānau where they're at. Pātea is one of those tools. A safe, judgement free space to pause, reflect, and find support."
Pātea was created by three Māori-led organisations - Hāpai Te Hauora, Whare Tiaki Hauora, and Tai Pari Mōhio - combining over 60 years of expertise in public health, mental health, digital innovation, and whānau-led service design.
Pātea offers features like:
24/7 generative AI chatbot - providing instant, culturally safe support
Online counselling sessions - available for gamblers and their whānau
Whānau testimonial videos - real voices sharing hope and strategies
Self and whānau assessment tools - to identify when help is needed
Links to local services and app-blocking tools
Accessible, easy-to-read information on gambling harm
"This isn't just another platform. It's a digital extension of kaupapa Māori care, designed with the people we serve, not just for them," says Alexander.
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