title: Hawaiki ora: Waka ama, it's a kind of magic

authors: Nuku, Michael

subjects: waka ama

abstract: Waka ama is a heterotopic social space deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori and is navigating transformative currents as it balances cultural integrity and the pursuit of performance excellence. This study investigated the magic of waka ama, namely the magnetic phenomenon that captivated participants, the lifestyle changes resulting from engagement and participants’ environmental perceptions. Magic is understood as the recognition of the enchanted amid modern pressures. A critical gap identified in the literature is the lack of recognition of the key elements that underpin positive participation in waka ama. By articulating and validating these key elements, this thesis lays a foundation for protecting and sustaining these cultural dimensions as waka ama grows in prominence and recognition as a high-performance sport. The study also raises concerns that increasing formalisation may risk eroding traditional values, underscoring the need for culturally responsive strategies to preserve the essence of waka ama for future generations. 
This Kaupapa Māori Research is rooted in Te Ao Māori, with Kaupapa Māori Theory maintaining a Māori lens for interpretation and positionality. It utilised the Waka Ama Rangahau conceptual framework, creating stability and rigour for this journey of discovery. It employed an in-depth review of literature and semi-structured interviews with 15 established kaihoe (paddlers) from across Aotearoa to gather data. It also included perspectives of a group of kaihoe that experienced waka ama from an unexplored viewpoint to add depth and breadth to the findings. Thematic analysis and the Whakaaro method were employed to analyse the data. The findings were then presented using Thematic Synthesis. The knowledge and experiences shared by kaihoe contributed towards answering the three research questions and establishing the Waka AMA (Āhuru Mōwai Aroha) Model for supportive environments that characterised the concept of āhuru mōwai. This study conceptualised the āhuru mōwai, Hawaiki Ora, inspired by historical discourse and interpretations of Hawaiki Nui. The spatio-temporal environment of waka ama cultivated Hawaiki Ora in ways that align with Te Ao Māori time and space, and are reinforced by Foucault’s concept of heterotopia and Lefebvre’s theory of social space, offering a unique, transformative space for identity, performance, connection, and care.  Within this environment, kaihoe collectively negotiate and uphold their ideals, forging unity and compromise over time. These findings underscore the necessity of preserving waka ama’s whānau-centric ethos to safeguard its cultural and spiritual essence against the encroachment of Eurocentric marginalisation commonly framed as modernity. 
The Waka AMA Model provides an environmental social construction plan to ensure a supportive and genuinely caring environment is available throughout challenging times and spaces. Crucially, this support must be ongoing and never taken for granted. Waka AMA supports Hawaiki Ora from the experiences, aspirations and rangatiratanga of kaihoe.

text: Hawaiki ora: Waka ama, it's a kind of magic Waka ama is a heterotopic social space deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori and is navigating transformative currents as it balances cultural integrity and the pursuit of performance excellence. This study investigated the magic of waka ama, namely the magnetic phenomenon that captivated participants, the lifestyle changes resulting from engagement and participants’ environmental perceptions. Magic is understood as the recognition of the enchanted amid modern pressures. A critical gap identified in the literature is the lack of recognition of the key elements that underpin positive participation in waka ama. By articulating and validating these key elements, this thesis lays a foundation for protecting and sustaining these cultural dimensions as waka ama grows in prominence and recognition as a high-performance sport. The study also raises concerns that increasing formalisation may risk eroding traditional values, underscoring the need for culturally responsive strategies to preserve the essence of waka ama for future generations. 
This Kaupapa Māori Research is rooted in Te Ao Māori, with Kaupapa Māori Theory maintaining a Māori lens for interpretation and positionality. It utilised the Waka Ama Rangahau conceptual framework, creating stability and rigour for this journey of discovery. It employed an in-depth review of literature and semi-structured interviews with 15 established kaihoe (paddlers) from across Aotearoa to gather data. It also included perspectives of a group of kaihoe that experienced waka ama from an unexplored viewpoint to add depth and breadth to the findings. Thematic analysis and the Whakaaro method were employed to analyse the data. The findings were then presented using Thematic Synthesis. The knowledge and experiences shared by kaihoe contributed towards answering the three research questions and establishing the Waka AMA (Āhuru Mōwai Aroha) Model for supportive environments that characterised the concept of āhuru mōwai. This study conceptualised the āhuru mōwai, Hawaiki Ora, inspired by historical discourse and interpretations of Hawaiki Nui. The spatio-temporal environment of waka ama cultivated Hawaiki Ora in ways that align with Te Ao Māori time and space, and are reinforced by Foucault’s concept of heterotopia and Lefebvre’s theory of social space, offering a unique, transformative space for identity, performance, connection, and care.  Within this environment, kaihoe collectively negotiate and uphold their ideals, forging unity and compromise over time. These findings underscore the necessity of preserving waka ama’s whānau-centric ethos to safeguard its cultural and spiritual essence against the encroachment of Eurocentric marginalisation commonly framed as modernity. 
The Waka AMA Model provides an environmental social construction plan to ensure a supportive and genuinely caring environment is available throughout challenging times and spaces. Crucially, this support must be ongoing and never taken for granted. Waka AMA supports Hawaiki Ora from the experiences, aspirations and rangatiratanga of kaihoe.

year: 2025

title: Te pā harakeke: Educational success and kōhanga reo

authors: McMillan, Hoana

subjects: kōhanga reo

abstract: Exploring the meaning of educational success in an indigenous context is a challenging task.  Success has come to be promoted as narrow forms of academic success.  However, “academic success” does not adequately take into account the knowledge, values, and beliefs of Indigenous peoples that stem from their unique ways of living and being in the world.  Indigenous language immersion settings, such as kōhanga reo (Māori immersion “language nests” for children from birth to six years old in Aotearoa New Zealand), have emerged in response to the desires of Indigenous peoples to retain their knowledge, language, and culture. 

This study contributes to the debate about the nature of educational success by examining multi-generational whānau (family) views of educational success in kōhanga reo. It also explores the contributions of kōhanga reo to the educational success of whānau. The study explored the lived experiences and views of educational success across five whānau spanning three generations: kaumātua (the grandparent generation who helped to set up kōhanga reo), mātua (the parent generation and first graduates of kōhanga reo), and mokopuna (children of the mātua and grandchildren of the kaumātua generations). Data for the kaumātua and mātua generations was collected through the Māori cultural practice of wānanga, and the Mosaic approach was used with mokopuna to provide a number of tools for them to express their views of educational success. The data gathered was then represented as multi-generational pūrākau (a Māori form of storying) to ensure the narratives relating to educational success remained intact and culturally valid.

The findings of this research show the meaning of educational success for the three generations in kōhanga reo was associated with Mana Reo (the power of language), Mana Tangata (the power of people), and Mana Whenua (the power of the land). In addition, kōhanga reo has championed the educational success of the multi-generational whānau by providing strong support for the Māori language, whānau transformations, and wellbeing. The influence of kōhanga reo has led to many outcomes showcasing the educational success of mokopuna and whānau who are learning, using, sharing, and protecting te reo Māori. All three generations value whanaungatanga and manaakitanga, and actively look for opportunities that lead to positive outcomes in their homes, schools, and wider communities.

There are many implications for whānau, kōhanga reo, Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust, the education sector, and policy makers. Foremost is reaffirming the message that identity, language, and culture matters in discussions relating to educational success. With each generation, whānau are unlocking new dimensions of, and pathways to, educational success linked to Mana Reo, Mana Tangata, and Mana Whenua. The kōhanga reo model, as a unique indigenous model, plays an important role in unlocking pathways to educational success now and in the future through its unwavering commitment to the cultural socialisation of whānau.

text: Te pā harakeke: Educational success and kōhanga reo Exploring the meaning of educational success in an indigenous context is a challenging task.  Success has come to be promoted as narrow forms of academic success.  However, “academic success” does not adequately take into account the knowledge, values, and beliefs of Indigenous peoples that stem from their unique ways of living and being in the world.  Indigenous language immersion settings, such as kōhanga reo (Māori immersion “language nests” for children from birth to six years old in Aotearoa New Zealand), have emerged in response to the desires of Indigenous peoples to retain their knowledge, language, and culture. 

This study contributes to the debate about the nature of educational success by examining multi-generational whānau (family) views of educational success in kōhanga reo. It also explores the contributions of kōhanga reo to the educational success of whānau. The study explored the lived experiences and views of educational success across five whānau spanning three generations: kaumātua (the grandparent generation who helped to set up kōhanga reo), mātua (the parent generation and first graduates of kōhanga reo), and mokopuna (children of the mātua and grandchildren of the kaumātua generations). Data for the kaumātua and mātua generations was collected through the Māori cultural practice of wānanga, and the Mosaic approach was used with mokopuna to provide a number of tools for them to express their views of educational success. The data gathered was then represented as multi-generational pūrākau (a Māori form of storying) to ensure the narratives relating to educational success remained intact and culturally valid.

The findings of this research show the meaning of educational success for the three generations in kōhanga reo was associated with Mana Reo (the power of language), Mana Tangata (the power of people), and Mana Whenua (the power of the land). In addition, kōhanga reo has championed the educational success of the multi-generational whānau by providing strong support for the Māori language, whānau transformations, and wellbeing. The influence of kōhanga reo has led to many outcomes showcasing the educational success of mokopuna and whānau who are learning, using, sharing, and protecting te reo Māori. All three generations value whanaungatanga and manaakitanga, and actively look for opportunities that lead to positive outcomes in their homes, schools, and wider communities.

There are many implications for whānau, kōhanga reo, Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust, the education sector, and policy makers. Foremost is reaffirming the message that identity, language, and culture matters in discussions relating to educational success. With each generation, whānau are unlocking new dimensions of, and pathways to, educational success linked to Mana Reo, Mana Tangata, and Mana Whenua. The kōhanga reo model, as a unique indigenous model, plays an important role in unlocking pathways to educational success now and in the future through its unwavering commitment to the cultural socialisation of whānau.

year: 2024

title: Real time NMR analyses of phenolic resin reactions

authors: Woolley, Samuel Lindsay

subjects: Phenolic

abstract: The current investigation presents the development and application of a  Rapid  NMR acquisition method, capable of identifying transient species and quantitatively monitoring their changes in real time during an in situ phenolic resin preparation. This quantification was only possible after the determination of phenolic resin relaxation times (T1) and nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE).

Rapid NMR spectra were recorded with an inter-pulse delay time of 0.6 s and broadband decoupling, which resulted in the acquisition of sequential qualitative spectra at 2.5 min intervals. The obtained qualitative spectral data were then converted into quantitative spectral data via the derived cross calibration (fc) and NOE (η) factors, resulting in quantitative reaction profiles for the phenoic resin species under investigation.

Extension of this work will allow the effects of varying synthesis parameters (i.e. temperature, pH, stoichiometry, catalyst type, etc.) on the final structure and hence on the final physical properties of the resin to be determined and inevitably leading to the development of new, more innovative and cost-effective resins.

text: Real time NMR analyses of phenolic resin reactions The current investigation presents the development and application of a  Rapid  NMR acquisition method, capable of identifying transient species and quantitatively monitoring their changes in real time during an in situ phenolic resin preparation. This quantification was only possible after the determination of phenolic resin relaxation times (T1) and nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE).

Rapid NMR spectra were recorded with an inter-pulse delay time of 0.6 s and broadband decoupling, which resulted in the acquisition of sequential qualitative spectra at 2.5 min intervals. The obtained qualitative spectral data were then converted into quantitative spectral data via the derived cross calibration (fc) and NOE (η) factors, resulting in quantitative reaction profiles for the phenoic resin species under investigation.

Extension of this work will allow the effects of varying synthesis parameters (i.e. temperature, pH, stoichiometry, catalyst type, etc.) on the final structure and hence on the final physical properties of the resin to be determined and inevitably leading to the development of new, more innovative and cost-effective resins.

year: 2008