Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori, are often excluded and underserved by hearing health services that often neglect their cultural values and needs. In response to this, we aimed to advance the delivery of culturally appropriate services with Māori clients through the validation of a te reo Māori hearing screening test. A He Awa Whiria: Braided rivers framework was applied to weave Māori knowledge and cultural values into this audiological research and to support the collaboration of Māori and non-Māori researchers through a Kaupapa Māori approach stream. While the validation of the screening test was interrupted due to COVID-19, we discuss in detail the approach stream used in this study. Together the approach and validation streams form the foundation of an ongoing research initiative aimed at addressing Western biomedical approach limitations, expanding the hearing health sector's knowledge base to deliver culturally responsive care, and in a small way contributing to the revitalisation of te reo Māori.