Background Hearing and vision are foundational to a child’s development, learning, and overall wellbeing, with significant social and economic benefits to addressing unassisted sensory loss through early intervention. The Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) longitudinal study offers a unique opportunity to explore hearing and vision health data for tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth) Māori. This research project explores hearing and vision health data from GUiNZ through a Kaupapa Māori epidemiological lens.

Methods This study applies a Kaupapa Māori epidemiological lens to the GUiNZ dataset. The theoretical and methodological framework addresses three primary inquiries:

• Identifying available hearing and vision data within the GUiNZ study for Māori cohorts.
• Analysing the dataset to uncover patterns, gaps, and opportunities for improving health outcomes.
• Determining how these data can be interpreted through Indigenous-led epidemiological approaches.

Results Drawing on preliminary data, Alehandrea’s presentation shares a Kaupapa Māori lens to advocate for the critical role of Indigenous-led epidemiological approaches in research. This approach ensures that our research prioritises Māori interests, protects Māori rights, and actively advances Māori self-determination. 

Conclusion To achieve sustainable improvements in Indigenous sensory health, it is essential to establish research, intervention and care pathways that are governed by and for Indigenous peoples. In the Aotearoa New Zealand context, by centering Māori values, rights, and critiques of colonial health systems, we can more effectively shape the interpretation of findings and guide recommendations for systemic change.