title: Tangihanga: The ultimate form of Māori cultural expression - overview of a research programme

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Māori

abstract: Death, observed through the process of tangihanga (time set aside to grieve and mourn, rites for the dead) or tangi (to grieve and mourn), is the ultimate form of Māori cultural expression. It is also the topic least studied by Māori or understood by outsiders, even after televised funeral rites of Māori leaders and intrusive media engagements with more humble family crises. It has prevailed as a cultural priority since earliest European contact, despite missionary and colonial impact and interference, and macabre Victorian fascination. Change is speculative rather than confirmed. Tangi and death rituals have yet to be rigorously examined in the Māori oral canon, or in the archival and historic record that may be discarded or reinforced by current practice. As researchers we are committed to studying tangi, conscious of the belief that such work carries the inherent risk of karanga aituā (inviting misfortune or even death itself) by drawing attention to it. Contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand is constantly touched by aspects of tangi practice through popular media and personal exposure.

This volatile subject nevertheless demands careful and comprehensive scrutiny in order to extend and enrich the knowledge base, reveal the logic that guides ritual, inform the wider New Zealand community and, more importantly, support the cultural, social, ritual, economic and decision making processes of bereaved whānau (family, including extended family), people affiliated with marae (communal meeting complex) and iwi (tribe, tribal). This paper provides an overview of a research programme that began in July 2009, based at The University of Waikato. The programme is funded by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, the Marsden Fund of New Zealand and the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

text: Tangihanga: The ultimate form of Māori cultural expression - overview of a research programme Death, observed through the process of tangihanga (time set aside to grieve and mourn, rites for the dead) or tangi (to grieve and mourn), is the ultimate form of Māori cultural expression. It is also the topic least studied by Māori or understood by outsiders, even after televised funeral rites of Māori leaders and intrusive media engagements with more humble family crises. It has prevailed as a cultural priority since earliest European contact, despite missionary and colonial impact and interference, and macabre Victorian fascination. Change is speculative rather than confirmed. Tangi and death rituals have yet to be rigorously examined in the Māori oral canon, or in the archival and historic record that may be discarded or reinforced by current practice. As researchers we are committed to studying tangi, conscious of the belief that such work carries the inherent risk of karanga aituā (inviting misfortune or even death itself) by drawing attention to it. Contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand is constantly touched by aspects of tangi practice through popular media and personal exposure.

This volatile subject nevertheless demands careful and comprehensive scrutiny in order to extend and enrich the knowledge base, reveal the logic that guides ritual, inform the wider New Zealand community and, more importantly, support the cultural, social, ritual, economic and decision making processes of bereaved whānau (family, including extended family), people affiliated with marae (communal meeting complex) and iwi (tribe, tribal). This paper provides an overview of a research programme that began in July 2009, based at The University of Waikato. The programme is funded by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, the Marsden Fund of New Zealand and the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

year: 2010

title: Artefacts, biology and bias in museum collection research

authors: Wehi, Priscilla M.

subjects: experimenta design

abstract: Museum collections are increasingly subjected to scientific scrutiny, including molecular, isotopic and trace-element analyses. Recent advances have extended analyses from natural history specimens to historical artefacts. We highlight three areas of concern that can influence interpretation of data derived from museum collections: sampling issues associated with museum collection use, methods of analysis, and the value of cross-referencing data with historical documents and data sets. We use a case study that focuses on kiwi (Apteryx spp.) feather samples from valuable 19th century Māori cloaks in New Zealand to show how sampling and analysis challenges need to be minimized by careful design. We argue that aligning historical records with scientific data generated from museum collections significantly improves data interpretation.

text: Artefacts, biology and bias in museum collection research Museum collections are increasingly subjected to scientific scrutiny, including molecular, isotopic and trace-element analyses. Recent advances have extended analyses from natural history specimens to historical artefacts. We highlight three areas of concern that can influence interpretation of data derived from museum collections: sampling issues associated with museum collection use, methods of analysis, and the value of cross-referencing data with historical documents and data sets. We use a case study that focuses on kiwi (Apteryx spp.) feather samples from valuable 19th century Māori cloaks in New Zealand to show how sampling and analysis challenges need to be minimized by careful design. We argue that aligning historical records with scientific data generated from museum collections significantly improves data interpretation.

year: 2012-07

title: A Positive behavioural Intervention on Prospective Memory of Children with Autism

authors: Peisley, Monique

subjects: Prospective Memory

abstract: Prospective memory is remembering to carry out a behaviour on a particular occasion or at a specific point in time in the future. This form of memory is particularly critical for the daily functioning of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their functional independence from their caregivers. My first aim was to assess the prospective memory abilities of each child when completing virtual week. My second aim was to investigate if reinforcing the prospective remembering of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder increased the probability of those behaviours occurring again. Four children with a diagnosis of ASD participated in a computerised board game called 'Virtual Week'. Using a single-subject design, baseline, positive reinforcement, and maintenance or prompt phases were implemented for each child. For every correct prospective memory response in the positive reinforcement phase, they received positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement increased the accuracy of prospective memory responses for all participants. Data for all participants showed a decrease in missed responses and an increase in correct responses to the prospective memory tasks. These effects were maintained after reinforcement was discontinued for three out of four children. This is the first study of which I was aware to use a behavioural behavioural intervention to improve the prospective memory behaviours of children with ASD. reinforcing prospective remembering in real-life situations using say-do correspondence training could extend research in this area.

text: A Positive behavioural Intervention on Prospective Memory of Children with Autism Prospective memory is remembering to carry out a behaviour on a particular occasion or at a specific point in time in the future. This form of memory is particularly critical for the daily functioning of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their functional independence from their caregivers. My first aim was to assess the prospective memory abilities of each child when completing virtual week. My second aim was to investigate if reinforcing the prospective remembering of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder increased the probability of those behaviours occurring again. Four children with a diagnosis of ASD participated in a computerised board game called 'Virtual Week'. Using a single-subject design, baseline, positive reinforcement, and maintenance or prompt phases were implemented for each child. For every correct prospective memory response in the positive reinforcement phase, they received positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement increased the accuracy of prospective memory responses for all participants. Data for all participants showed a decrease in missed responses and an increase in correct responses to the prospective memory tasks. These effects were maintained after reinforcement was discontinued for three out of four children. This is the first study of which I was aware to use a behavioural behavioural intervention to improve the prospective memory behaviours of children with ASD. reinforcing prospective remembering in real-life situations using say-do correspondence training could extend research in this area.

year: 2016