title: Beyond structuralism: Exploring a semantic based approach for describing the Māori language in grammar books and textbooks for pedagogical purposes

authors: Taiapa, Michael William

subjects: Māori

abstract: Since the 1950s, the advancements and developments in English language studies has had a profound impact on its description that has made it less syntactically driven and more communicatively oriented. This has the potential to influence language description moving it from a purely structurally focused orientation to a more semantically focused one that could influence pedagogic outcomes in more meaningful and useful ways. Nevertheless, in the case of the Māori language, its description has largely focused on structure linguistics that was prevalent in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There has been very little focus on a semantic description and this, in turn, is reflected in grammar books and textbooks on te reo. This thesis set out to explore a semantic approach to describe te reo and to rethink how this type of description may be realized and included in the design of grammar books and textbooks for the teaching and learning of te reo in the broader field of second language pedagogy and acquisition. The thesis also includes a practical component in which a small sample of Māori language teachers were interviewed to determine how linguistic and/ or semantic approaches to describe te reo may have or have impacted on their own beliefs, attitudes, and teaching practices (See, Chapter 7). Thus, it is argued here that research-based studies, advancements, and developments in language descriptions over the past five decades (See, for example, Council of Europe, 1949; Fillmore, 1967; Longacre, 1968; & Crombie, 1985b) should play central roles in the design of a semantic based description of the Māori language from which a linguistic based description can significantly benefit.

text: Beyond structuralism: Exploring a semantic based approach for describing the Māori language in grammar books and textbooks for pedagogical purposes Since the 1950s, the advancements and developments in English language studies has had a profound impact on its description that has made it less syntactically driven and more communicatively oriented. This has the potential to influence language description moving it from a purely structurally focused orientation to a more semantically focused one that could influence pedagogic outcomes in more meaningful and useful ways. Nevertheless, in the case of the Māori language, its description has largely focused on structure linguistics that was prevalent in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There has been very little focus on a semantic description and this, in turn, is reflected in grammar books and textbooks on te reo. This thesis set out to explore a semantic approach to describe te reo and to rethink how this type of description may be realized and included in the design of grammar books and textbooks for the teaching and learning of te reo in the broader field of second language pedagogy and acquisition. The thesis also includes a practical component in which a small sample of Māori language teachers were interviewed to determine how linguistic and/ or semantic approaches to describe te reo may have or have impacted on their own beliefs, attitudes, and teaching practices (See, Chapter 7). Thus, it is argued here that research-based studies, advancements, and developments in language descriptions over the past five decades (See, for example, Council of Europe, 1949; Fillmore, 1967; Longacre, 1968; & Crombie, 1985b) should play central roles in the design of a semantic based description of the Māori language from which a linguistic based description can significantly benefit.

year: 2023

title: The use of Māori mythology in clinical settings: Training issues and needs

authors: Cherrington, Lisa

subjects: Maori

abstract: Within therapeutic settings, narrative
approaches are increasingly being used as a
way of creating new understandings and
new stories. This paper discusses the use of
purakau as a Māori focused intervention
when working with Māori tangata whaiora
(clients) and their whānau. This paper will
outline the rationale and relevance of using
purakau with Māori. However, the
emphasis is on the training provided to
clinicians in the use of purakau. An outline
of the training process is provided. In
doing so, issues regarding the use of these
taonga (treasures) in clinical psychology
will be raised. It will be argued that Māori
mythology must have a place in the kete of
Māori psychology.

text: The use of Māori mythology in clinical settings: Training issues and needs Within therapeutic settings, narrative
approaches are increasingly being used as a
way of creating new understandings and
new stories. This paper discusses the use of
purakau as a Māori focused intervention
when working with Māori tangata whaiora
(clients) and their whānau. This paper will
outline the rationale and relevance of using
purakau with Māori. However, the
emphasis is on the training provided to
clinicians in the use of purakau. An outline
of the training process is provided. In
doing so, issues regarding the use of these
taonga (treasures) in clinical psychology
will be raised. It will be argued that Māori
mythology must have a place in the kete of
Māori psychology.

year: 2003

title: “Not another patient through the revolving door”: A case study analysis of six women’s experiences with pregnancy terminations in New Zealand.

authors: Lee, Katherine Louise

subjects: Pregnancy termination

abstract: This thesis investigates an under-researched and largely ignored area in New Zealand, specifically six young women’s experiences of pregnancy termination in a New Zealand context. The aim of this research is twofold: to investigate the interconnection between intimate relationships and pregnancy terminations, and to describe and analyse the experiences of quality of care provided in New Zealand pregnancy termination settings. 

This research is conducted using a narrative methodology that allows each participant to have their own unique ‘voice’ and to offer valuable and rich insights into their personal experiences of pregnancy termination. Six participants were selected who met the criteria of being under 25 years of age at the time of their terminations. These participants were interviewed individually on three separate occasions using a qualitative semi-structured interview schedule with themes that included life before falling pregnant, culture and religion, intimate relationship pre- and post-termination, intimate relationship education (if any) provided at school, interaction with health professionals, accessibility, experiences on the day of the procedure, and participants’ advice for young women contemplating a termination. 

The findings from this thesis demonstrate a plethora of consequences for intimate relationships and the delivery of quality of care throughout the termination process. In terms of intimate relationships, the dissolution of the ‘honeymoon period’ exacerbated issues for women undergoing terminations. The quality of the relationship was found to be an important contributor to decision-making, particularly when the intimate partner was invited to share this responsibility. Problems arose in those relationships where there were incongruent experiences concerning the termination — for example, when one individual in the relationship was coping but the other was not. Irrespective of the quality of the relationship one key finding is that terminations appear to have a significant negative impact on future relationships. Interestingly, some participants chose to conceal their terminations from future intimate partners when then knew their partners were opposed to pregnancy terminations on ethical grounds. 

This thesis also highlights the considerable barriers to accessing termination clinics because they are located in the main centres and required most participants to travel to these clinics. Many participants struggled to ‘get a foot in the door’ and this often resulted in delayed entry to the service. Participants were aware of the role of the health professionals as the legal gatekeepers to the termination process and this led some to conceal their emotions, further heightening their stress on the day of the termination. The participants’ experiences of simply being a ‘number’ and part of the ‘revolving door’ process contributed towards their negative perceptions about, and experiences of, quality of care. The combination of their desire for but absence of tangibility, coupled with the non-alignment of participants’ expectations with the quality of care service they received, led some participants to have negative experiences of the termination process. 

The narratives that have been offered by the six young women who have had a termination provide valuable insights into, and reflections about, their personal experiences with a legal process that for many New Zealanders still remains ‘behind closed doors’.

text: “Not another patient through the revolving door”: A case study analysis of six women’s experiences with pregnancy terminations in New Zealand. This thesis investigates an under-researched and largely ignored area in New Zealand, specifically six young women’s experiences of pregnancy termination in a New Zealand context. The aim of this research is twofold: to investigate the interconnection between intimate relationships and pregnancy terminations, and to describe and analyse the experiences of quality of care provided in New Zealand pregnancy termination settings. 

This research is conducted using a narrative methodology that allows each participant to have their own unique ‘voice’ and to offer valuable and rich insights into their personal experiences of pregnancy termination. Six participants were selected who met the criteria of being under 25 years of age at the time of their terminations. These participants were interviewed individually on three separate occasions using a qualitative semi-structured interview schedule with themes that included life before falling pregnant, culture and religion, intimate relationship pre- and post-termination, intimate relationship education (if any) provided at school, interaction with health professionals, accessibility, experiences on the day of the procedure, and participants’ advice for young women contemplating a termination. 

The findings from this thesis demonstrate a plethora of consequences for intimate relationships and the delivery of quality of care throughout the termination process. In terms of intimate relationships, the dissolution of the ‘honeymoon period’ exacerbated issues for women undergoing terminations. The quality of the relationship was found to be an important contributor to decision-making, particularly when the intimate partner was invited to share this responsibility. Problems arose in those relationships where there were incongruent experiences concerning the termination — for example, when one individual in the relationship was coping but the other was not. Irrespective of the quality of the relationship one key finding is that terminations appear to have a significant negative impact on future relationships. Interestingly, some participants chose to conceal their terminations from future intimate partners when then knew their partners were opposed to pregnancy terminations on ethical grounds. 

This thesis also highlights the considerable barriers to accessing termination clinics because they are located in the main centres and required most participants to travel to these clinics. Many participants struggled to ‘get a foot in the door’ and this often resulted in delayed entry to the service. Participants were aware of the role of the health professionals as the legal gatekeepers to the termination process and this led some to conceal their emotions, further heightening their stress on the day of the termination. The participants’ experiences of simply being a ‘number’ and part of the ‘revolving door’ process contributed towards their negative perceptions about, and experiences of, quality of care. The combination of their desire for but absence of tangibility, coupled with the non-alignment of participants’ expectations with the quality of care service they received, led some participants to have negative experiences of the termination process. 

The narratives that have been offered by the six young women who have had a termination provide valuable insights into, and reflections about, their personal experiences with a legal process that for many New Zealanders still remains ‘behind closed doors’.

year: 2016