title: Using the Past: Learning Histories, Public Histories and Possibilities

authors: Smith, Mark Samuel

subjects: Learning History

abstract: This thesis explores the contemporary meaning of history and the relevance of history, historical knowledge and historical methodology for organisations. This research does so through a novel adaptation of a consulting methodology, the ‘Learning History Approach’, to understand what individuals and communities say and do about history.
Using the Past addresses two interconnected questions: how have the organisations selected for study utilised their pasts; and what can the learning history approach bring to the historical discipline? Through those questions this research explores historical consciousness at three New Zealand organisations and evaluates the potential of a new method of public history.
This thesis sits at the intersection of interdisciplinary research on historical consciousness, public history and ‘learning histories’ from organisational studies. This research shows how an adaptation of the original learning history methodology can both fit within and challenge the conceptual frameworks of public history.
Raising historical consciousness and engaging more people with the historical discipline is vital for the health of the historical discipline. Work by researchers such as Wineburg has shown that while ‘historical thinking’ is beneficial, it is also difficult, ‘unnatural’ and uncommon – therefore new ways to disseminate such thinking and expand participatory historical culture must be developed. This research shows the learning history approach to be an effective means of expanding participatory historical culture. This is because the approach draws participants into reflective and often transformational conversations about historiographical issues such as historical community and heritage.
This study finds organisational uses of history to be strongly associated with the performance and maintenance of identity. The research also reveals evidence that the past is still with us and that heritage and history are entangled. This research demonstrates the continuity of history and the utility of history for organisations, as well as the potential of the learning history approach.  Ultimately, this work reflects the need to build a more participatory historical culture and the active role of academic, professional historians in realising that culture.

text: Using the Past: Learning Histories, Public Histories and Possibilities This thesis explores the contemporary meaning of history and the relevance of history, historical knowledge and historical methodology for organisations. This research does so through a novel adaptation of a consulting methodology, the ‘Learning History Approach’, to understand what individuals and communities say and do about history.
Using the Past addresses two interconnected questions: how have the organisations selected for study utilised their pasts; and what can the learning history approach bring to the historical discipline? Through those questions this research explores historical consciousness at three New Zealand organisations and evaluates the potential of a new method of public history.
This thesis sits at the intersection of interdisciplinary research on historical consciousness, public history and ‘learning histories’ from organisational studies. This research shows how an adaptation of the original learning history methodology can both fit within and challenge the conceptual frameworks of public history.
Raising historical consciousness and engaging more people with the historical discipline is vital for the health of the historical discipline. Work by researchers such as Wineburg has shown that while ‘historical thinking’ is beneficial, it is also difficult, ‘unnatural’ and uncommon – therefore new ways to disseminate such thinking and expand participatory historical culture must be developed. This research shows the learning history approach to be an effective means of expanding participatory historical culture. This is because the approach draws participants into reflective and often transformational conversations about historiographical issues such as historical community and heritage.
This study finds organisational uses of history to be strongly associated with the performance and maintenance of identity. The research also reveals evidence that the past is still with us and that heritage and history are entangled. This research demonstrates the continuity of history and the utility of history for organisations, as well as the potential of the learning history approach.  Ultimately, this work reflects the need to build a more participatory historical culture and the active role of academic, professional historians in realising that culture.

year: 2016

title: The use of Appreciative Inquiry as a way to empower Solomon Islands beginning science teachers

authors: Edwards, Frances

abstract: Appreciative Inquiry is a process with considerable potential to promote teacher development in the Solomon Islands within their ‘villages of learning’.
The implementation of Appreciative Inquiry as part of teacher mentoring and support in Solomon Islands teachers’ early careers has the potential to encourage and strengthen them as they partake and have agency in planning for continued growth and success in their futures.

text: The use of Appreciative Inquiry as a way to empower Solomon Islands beginning science teachers Appreciative Inquiry is a process with considerable potential to promote teacher development in the Solomon Islands within their ‘villages of learning’.
The implementation of Appreciative Inquiry as part of teacher mentoring and support in Solomon Islands teachers’ early careers has the potential to encourage and strengthen them as they partake and have agency in planning for continued growth and success in their futures.

year: 2018

title: Positive Ageing in Place: Older Māori in Traditional and Non-traditional Place

authors: Williams, Cassandra

subjects: Māori

abstract: This thesis examines the role of place in experiences of ageing for older Māori, and the extent to which places of choice facilitate a sense of positive ageing. Particular attention is given to multiple experiences of home and the complexities surrounding Māori affiliations to place. Participants were older whānau members over the age of 55 who whakapapa to, and have lived, or currently live in Manaia in the Coromandel. Two participants still reside in Manaia to this day, and two have moved into urban areas in Paeroa and Taupo. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in their own homes. The first interview focused on housing experiences, personal background and support. The second interview incorporated Māori relationship principles relating to the importance of turangawaewae, whānaungatanga, wairua and manaakitanga. My analysis was informed by a narrative approach, and the relevance of Māori principles to participants’ positive ageing experiences.

I found that Māori relationships with places of ancestral connection are complex and do not exclude other places becoming equally, if not as important to individuals. Experiences of home for participants were multiple and extended to places with which they had forged memories, relationships and positive attachments. Findings indicate that the ability to age positively within particular places is largely reliant on the supports available for older Māori. Wairua was acknowledged by participants as being significant in aiding their positive ageing experiences. Strong connections to non-living objects such as places, nature and tupuna were expressed as being a crucial part of their philosophies on life and death. This feeling of knowing ancestors were part of everyday life alleviated feelings of loneliness and reiterated the never-ending connections between whānau. Everyday contact with whānau provided practical social support as well as a chance for reciprocal relationships to be fostered. When whānau support was not readily available due to geographical distances, technological means of relationship building were used to enable ageing at a distance, allowing home to be played out across physical localities. Health issues were expressed by participants, both historical and reoccurring, and appropriate health care services were regarded as playing an active role in participants’ ageing experiences. Three out of four participants accessed a Māori health provider. By accessing a health care service that was financially inexpensive, where the doctors built a rapport with patients and took advice, participants felt culturally safe and reported positive relationships with their provider. Finances were reported as being a support that needed to be strengthened and a lack of income had a negative effect on participants ageing experiences. Participants’ everyday lives were impacted by financial instability, with a lack of finances standing in the way of fully interacting with the community, negotiating place and being able to age in places of choice.
This thesis argues that ageing in place facilitates positive ageing by allowing older Māori to remain in their places of choice with firm attachments where they can maintain control over their affairs and maintain a sense of continuity. Māori ageing needs to be viewed within a history of colonisation, urbanisation, experiences, relationships and spiritual connectedness to human and non-human entities. It is within this context that ageing in place can be truly explored. Recommendations are made to aid positive ageing in place for older Māori. These include further research into supports, a review of the age of eligibility for state pensions, subsidised transport initiatives, and making Māori health services more accessible.

text: Positive Ageing in Place: Older Māori in Traditional and Non-traditional Place This thesis examines the role of place in experiences of ageing for older Māori, and the extent to which places of choice facilitate a sense of positive ageing. Particular attention is given to multiple experiences of home and the complexities surrounding Māori affiliations to place. Participants were older whānau members over the age of 55 who whakapapa to, and have lived, or currently live in Manaia in the Coromandel. Two participants still reside in Manaia to this day, and two have moved into urban areas in Paeroa and Taupo. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in their own homes. The first interview focused on housing experiences, personal background and support. The second interview incorporated Māori relationship principles relating to the importance of turangawaewae, whānaungatanga, wairua and manaakitanga. My analysis was informed by a narrative approach, and the relevance of Māori principles to participants’ positive ageing experiences.

I found that Māori relationships with places of ancestral connection are complex and do not exclude other places becoming equally, if not as important to individuals. Experiences of home for participants were multiple and extended to places with which they had forged memories, relationships and positive attachments. Findings indicate that the ability to age positively within particular places is largely reliant on the supports available for older Māori. Wairua was acknowledged by participants as being significant in aiding their positive ageing experiences. Strong connections to non-living objects such as places, nature and tupuna were expressed as being a crucial part of their philosophies on life and death. This feeling of knowing ancestors were part of everyday life alleviated feelings of loneliness and reiterated the never-ending connections between whānau. Everyday contact with whānau provided practical social support as well as a chance for reciprocal relationships to be fostered. When whānau support was not readily available due to geographical distances, technological means of relationship building were used to enable ageing at a distance, allowing home to be played out across physical localities. Health issues were expressed by participants, both historical and reoccurring, and appropriate health care services were regarded as playing an active role in participants’ ageing experiences. Three out of four participants accessed a Māori health provider. By accessing a health care service that was financially inexpensive, where the doctors built a rapport with patients and took advice, participants felt culturally safe and reported positive relationships with their provider. Finances were reported as being a support that needed to be strengthened and a lack of income had a negative effect on participants ageing experiences. Participants’ everyday lives were impacted by financial instability, with a lack of finances standing in the way of fully interacting with the community, negotiating place and being able to age in places of choice.
This thesis argues that ageing in place facilitates positive ageing by allowing older Māori to remain in their places of choice with firm attachments where they can maintain control over their affairs and maintain a sense of continuity. Māori ageing needs to be viewed within a history of colonisation, urbanisation, experiences, relationships and spiritual connectedness to human and non-human entities. It is within this context that ageing in place can be truly explored. Recommendations are made to aid positive ageing in place for older Māori. These include further research into supports, a review of the age of eligibility for state pensions, subsidised transport initiatives, and making Māori health services more accessible.

year: 2012