title: Kūkū te kererū, ketekete te kākā: The role of literature in indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Raharuhi, Te Urukeiha

subjects: indigenous methods of naming

abstract: This thesis describes the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. The story of the role of academic literature in mātauranga Māori transmission presented in this thesis, describes a narrative of indigenous people being increasingly excluded from transmission of mātauranga Māori in literature production. Importantly the exclusion of original sources from participation in literature production and revision resulted in a high degree of persistent error in academic literature presenting oral narratives and te reo Māori bird names.

Currently, te reo Māori names of native and introduced birds are represented in English language academic literature, as subject matter or topic of interest predominately within a scientific research paradigm, in the fields of linguistics, ornithology, ethnology or disciplines where these are combined such as ethno-ornithology or folk-taxonomy. Research inquiry conducted in this study is influenced by a potential to explore indigenous methods of naming in terms of what they reveal about our ways of being (ontology) and our ways of knowing (epistemology).

This thesis presents two literature reviews and the findings of seven semi-structured interviews to explore the complexities of the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and indigenous birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Exploring indigenous methods of naming in this way provides an opportunity to tease out the influence of translation, Western scientific paradigms and the medium of academic literature on the transmission of mātauranga Māori as well as identify opportunities and limitations for indigenous epistemology offered through the medium of academic literature.

A comprehensive index of te reo Māori bird names with attention to the variety of linguistic nuances of geographically specific vernacular presented consistently in the context of indigenous methods of naming, potentially provides an accessible and meaningful taxonomic reference document. At the present time such an index has not been published. The findings of the research presented in this thesis support the potential of academic literature to meaningfully contribute to indigenous methods of naming when it records or facilitates direct participation of hapū in indigenous epistemology rather than predetermine or prematurely theorise indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Equally, it presents findings to support potential for academic literature to contribute to mātauranga Māori when it articulates indigenous epistemology as a valuable way of knowing and does not assume to replace memory arts as the primary methods of mātauranga Māori transmission. Furthermore, the application of an indigenous paradigm to the production of literature about indigenous methods of naming as an aspect of mātauranga Māori has the potential to constitute an accurate and authentic body of knowledge.

text: Kūkū te kererū, ketekete te kākā: The role of literature in indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand This thesis describes the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. The story of the role of academic literature in mātauranga Māori transmission presented in this thesis, describes a narrative of indigenous people being increasingly excluded from transmission of mātauranga Māori in literature production. Importantly the exclusion of original sources from participation in literature production and revision resulted in a high degree of persistent error in academic literature presenting oral narratives and te reo Māori bird names.

Currently, te reo Māori names of native and introduced birds are represented in English language academic literature, as subject matter or topic of interest predominately within a scientific research paradigm, in the fields of linguistics, ornithology, ethnology or disciplines where these are combined such as ethno-ornithology or folk-taxonomy. Research inquiry conducted in this study is influenced by a potential to explore indigenous methods of naming in terms of what they reveal about our ways of being (ontology) and our ways of knowing (epistemology).

This thesis presents two literature reviews and the findings of seven semi-structured interviews to explore the complexities of the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and indigenous birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Exploring indigenous methods of naming in this way provides an opportunity to tease out the influence of translation, Western scientific paradigms and the medium of academic literature on the transmission of mātauranga Māori as well as identify opportunities and limitations for indigenous epistemology offered through the medium of academic literature.

A comprehensive index of te reo Māori bird names with attention to the variety of linguistic nuances of geographically specific vernacular presented consistently in the context of indigenous methods of naming, potentially provides an accessible and meaningful taxonomic reference document. At the present time such an index has not been published. The findings of the research presented in this thesis support the potential of academic literature to meaningfully contribute to indigenous methods of naming when it records or facilitates direct participation of hapū in indigenous epistemology rather than predetermine or prematurely theorise indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Equally, it presents findings to support potential for academic literature to contribute to mātauranga Māori when it articulates indigenous epistemology as a valuable way of knowing and does not assume to replace memory arts as the primary methods of mātauranga Māori transmission. Furthermore, the application of an indigenous paradigm to the production of literature about indigenous methods of naming as an aspect of mātauranga Māori has the potential to constitute an accurate and authentic body of knowledge.

year: 2015

title: What is Māori typography?

authors: Kennedy, Nikki Eileen

subjects: Māori Design

abstract: Te Reo Māori was traditionally an oral language similar to many indigenous cultures. Writing systems were not familiar to Māori until 1769 where Māori were introduced to the written language by Pākehā. Early Māori writing can be found printed, carved and painted in a number of different parts of Māori society. These myriad texts were strongly influenced and inspired by Pākehā biblical texts and newspapers. The influence of Pākehā texts meant that overtime the written language of Te Reo Māori had a Pākehā visual identity.

To date, there is minimal research about the history and visual identity of Māori typography. The lack of research and resources about Māori typography confirms how underdeveloped Māori typography is and highlights the potential for research and development in this space.

This thesis aims to explore Māori typography. In particular, this thesis will provide an understanding of how Māori typography has evolved, addressing the perceptions of Māori text features and advice on design guidance of Māori typography.

Two studies within this thesis involved analysing the text-based features in 21 Māori newspapers dated from 1842-1935. Māori newspapers are a valuable resource that captured moments in history and also early displays of Māori text. The second study involved interviews with 50 participants — Māori and non-Māori, from a range of different backgrounds — who provided their understandings and perceptions surrounding the features of Māori text.

The results from these studies have shown that the serif typeface classification was commonly used in early print such as Māori newspapers. Serif lettering also reminded participants in our studies of early Māori texts such as old text books and newspapers. This appears to be the reason as to why, a strong theme of serifs and the style of Didone typefaces have been used throughout Māori typography and by default are recognised features of Māori typefaces today.

Having analysed Māori newspapers, an unexpected finding appeared in the 1908 Te Pipiwharauroa newspaper. Two unique letter characters were found that was revolution for Te Reo Māori text of the time. This oddity combined the ‘ng’ letters into one letter character and the ‘wh’ letters into one letter character also. The aim in combining the two letters together was to emphasise the one sound that the ‘ng’ and the ‘wh’ make to avoid confusion in the pronunciation of Māori words. The results showed that these two letter characters appeared from 1908 through to 1912. There is no evidence of these characters appearing after 1912 and also appearing in other newspapers. The two characters were a rare appearance of its time.

As a result of this research it is clear that the visual identity of Te Reo Māori remains unclear and was highly influenced by serif lettering. This thesis highlights the need for more research about Māori typography and design guidance for developing appropriate Māori typefaces that are influenced and inspired by Maori culture.

text: What is Māori typography? Te Reo Māori was traditionally an oral language similar to many indigenous cultures. Writing systems were not familiar to Māori until 1769 where Māori were introduced to the written language by Pākehā. Early Māori writing can be found printed, carved and painted in a number of different parts of Māori society. These myriad texts were strongly influenced and inspired by Pākehā biblical texts and newspapers. The influence of Pākehā texts meant that overtime the written language of Te Reo Māori had a Pākehā visual identity.

To date, there is minimal research about the history and visual identity of Māori typography. The lack of research and resources about Māori typography confirms how underdeveloped Māori typography is and highlights the potential for research and development in this space.

This thesis aims to explore Māori typography. In particular, this thesis will provide an understanding of how Māori typography has evolved, addressing the perceptions of Māori text features and advice on design guidance of Māori typography.

Two studies within this thesis involved analysing the text-based features in 21 Māori newspapers dated from 1842-1935. Māori newspapers are a valuable resource that captured moments in history and also early displays of Māori text. The second study involved interviews with 50 participants — Māori and non-Māori, from a range of different backgrounds — who provided their understandings and perceptions surrounding the features of Māori text.

The results from these studies have shown that the serif typeface classification was commonly used in early print such as Māori newspapers. Serif lettering also reminded participants in our studies of early Māori texts such as old text books and newspapers. This appears to be the reason as to why, a strong theme of serifs and the style of Didone typefaces have been used throughout Māori typography and by default are recognised features of Māori typefaces today.

Having analysed Māori newspapers, an unexpected finding appeared in the 1908 Te Pipiwharauroa newspaper. Two unique letter characters were found that was revolution for Te Reo Māori text of the time. This oddity combined the ‘ng’ letters into one letter character and the ‘wh’ letters into one letter character also. The aim in combining the two letters together was to emphasise the one sound that the ‘ng’ and the ‘wh’ make to avoid confusion in the pronunciation of Māori words. The results showed that these two letter characters appeared from 1908 through to 1912. There is no evidence of these characters appearing after 1912 and also appearing in other newspapers. The two characters were a rare appearance of its time.

As a result of this research it is clear that the visual identity of Te Reo Māori remains unclear and was highly influenced by serif lettering. This thesis highlights the need for more research about Māori typography and design guidance for developing appropriate Māori typefaces that are influenced and inspired by Maori culture.

year: 2020

title: Emergent strategy and the measurement of performance: The formulation of performance indicators at the micro-level

authors: Lowe, Alan

subjects: accounting

abstract: This paper presents some evidence on an aspect of the design of a strategic control system, at the micro level within a single organisation. The research we report used an ethnographic approach to provide an understanding of strategy formulation. Our aim is to contribute to an area of literature which is of increasing significance but relatively underdeveloped in terms of the application of, in depth, field research techniques. We take an intensive look at the manner in which performance measures are formulated, at the micro level, within a single organization. The paper presents, as an in-depth case analysis, the experience of a fisheries holding company in New Zealand. The paper recounts the experiences of managers within the organization of the process of identification of such things as, critical success factors and key performance indicators (KPI’s) and, more broadly the formulation of a strategic performance measurement system. A number of themes emerged during the research including as apparent reluctance to reduce a reliance on financial measures, the significance of functional boundaries which resulted in disagreements and misunderstandings, the importance of communication and the problems resulting from some managers apparently seeking to avoid attempts to fix responsibility.

text: Emergent strategy and the measurement of performance: The formulation of performance indicators at the micro-level This paper presents some evidence on an aspect of the design of a strategic control system, at the micro level within a single organisation. The research we report used an ethnographic approach to provide an understanding of strategy formulation. Our aim is to contribute to an area of literature which is of increasing significance but relatively underdeveloped in terms of the application of, in depth, field research techniques. We take an intensive look at the manner in which performance measures are formulated, at the micro level, within a single organization. The paper presents, as an in-depth case analysis, the experience of a fisheries holding company in New Zealand. The paper recounts the experiences of managers within the organization of the process of identification of such things as, critical success factors and key performance indicators (KPI’s) and, more broadly the formulation of a strategic performance measurement system. A number of themes emerged during the research including as apparent reluctance to reduce a reliance on financial measures, the significance of functional boundaries which resulted in disagreements and misunderstandings, the importance of communication and the problems resulting from some managers apparently seeking to avoid attempts to fix responsibility.

year: 2003-05