Findings from a photovoice exercise reveal how vaping is perceived within Rotorua and highlight the transformative potential of involving communities in health and systems change.
Ngā Uru Kahika, a coalition of organisations dedicated to reducing smoking harm, employed this action research method to capture community perspectives through visual storytelling.
Healthy Families Rotorua systems innovator, Teteira Ormsby, says that the photovoice prototype engaged professionals in smoking harm reduction, inviting them to capture images representing their views on vaping. These photos, combined with group discussions and analysis, uncovered key themes.
“The project offered a unique lens to examine vaping,” says Teteira. “Using visual storytelling, we encouraged participants to challenge preconceived notions and explore the issue from fresh perspectives. This approach moved beyond statistics, tapping into the lived experiences of our community to foster deeper empathy and understanding.”
Key findings included the normalisation and widespread accessibility of vaping across demographics. Concerns about insufficient regulation emerged as a dominant theme, with 63% of feedback focusing on the potential risks vaping poses to community health and well-being.
Personal reflections accounted for 22% of feedback, capturing strong emotions and questions raised during the exercise. While less prominent at 15%, political perspectives reflected scepticism about the slow pace of policy change, underscoring the need for decisive government action.
“The process was invaluable, demonstrating the power of participatory methods to empower communities,” says Teteira. “Photovoice amplified underrepresented voices and fostered a sense of shared ownership over critical health conversations.”
This initiative aligns with the Six Conditions of Systems Change framework central to Healthy Families New Zealand’s approach. It strengthened trust and collaboration within the coalition, introduced innovative stakeholder engagement practices, and underscored the value of community-driven insights in reshaping perceptions and policies.
Teteira says that this is only the beginning.
“Reflecting on these findings will help refine our approach as we engage wider community groups,” he says. “Our goal is to foster open dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and co-create solutions to address vaping and other public health challenges.”
Looking ahead, the coalition aims to gather perspectives from more diverse groups and develop actionable strategies. Guiding questions include scaling the prototype, identifying additional contributors, and determining necessary changes to ensure progress.
“The insights gained through photovoice reaffirm our commitment to community-led initiatives,” says Teteira. “This method challenges assumptions and sets the stage for more equitable, sustainable health outcomes.”
Ngā Uru Kahika is backboned by Healthy Families Rotorua and includes partners from Te Arawa Whānau Ora, Hāpai te Hauora, Manaaki Ora Trust, Te Whatu Ora, and Heart Foundation.
