title: The evolution of my identity as a teacher

authors: Schoenberger-Orgad, Michèle Anne

subjects: education

abstract: Thinking about the evolution of my identity as a teacher made me realise that I needed to reflect on myself as a learner first. The evolution of teacher identity is intimately tied to learner identity for it is only natural to aspire to the role models you have encountered.

text: The evolution of my identity as a teacher Thinking about the evolution of my identity as a teacher made me realise that I needed to reflect on myself as a learner first. The evolution of teacher identity is intimately tied to learner identity for it is only natural to aspire to the role models you have encountered.

year: 2011

title: Play makes us happy! Listening to the perspectives of Chinese immigrant children and parents about well-being in New Zealand

authors: Gai, QiTong

abstract: As the global population of immigrant children increases, the well-being of this group has gained more attention. However, one underrepresented group in academic literature is Chinese immigrant children in New Zealand. This study sought to address this gap, examining their well-being through their own experiences and perspectives, with a specific focus on subjective happiness and its influencing factors. The project is qualitative research, using data from go-along interviews with eight Chinese immigrant children and semi-structured interviews with their parents. The findings indicated that all eight children expressed contentment and satisfaction with their lives in New Zealand, suggesting successful integration into New Zealand society. Additionally, the findings showed that play, friendship, family support, and learning about Chinese culture were significant contributors to the children's well-being. The play emerged as a central theme influencing the well-being of these immigrant children. The children associated their happiness with various aspects of play, including personal play, play with friends, school activities, sports participation, attending interest classes, and learning about Chinese culture. Parents corroborated this sentiment, identifying play as fundamental to their children's physical and mental health. They underscored the importance of personal growth, health, happiness, and the pursuit of personal interests and hobbies. While acknowledging the relaxed lifestyle New Zealand offers their children, parents expressed concerns about the quality of math education and their children's capacity to handle future pressures. Reflecting on the future, both children and parents expressed optimistic expectations. However, this study has its limitations. It was conducted with a small sample size, relied on self-reported data, and focused narrowly on Chinese immigrants in Hamilton, during children's go-along interviews no children took photos, and the potential influence of parental religious beliefs was not addressed. These limitations pave the way for future research opportunities. Future research can address these limitations and further explore the role of play in shaping the well-being of Chinese immigrant children. Particularly, it can examine the transition from 'Tiger parenting' to recognizing the importance of play, an initial observation pointed out in this study.

text: Play makes us happy! Listening to the perspectives of Chinese immigrant children and parents about well-being in New Zealand As the global population of immigrant children increases, the well-being of this group has gained more attention. However, one underrepresented group in academic literature is Chinese immigrant children in New Zealand. This study sought to address this gap, examining their well-being through their own experiences and perspectives, with a specific focus on subjective happiness and its influencing factors. The project is qualitative research, using data from go-along interviews with eight Chinese immigrant children and semi-structured interviews with their parents. The findings indicated that all eight children expressed contentment and satisfaction with their lives in New Zealand, suggesting successful integration into New Zealand society. Additionally, the findings showed that play, friendship, family support, and learning about Chinese culture were significant contributors to the children's well-being. The play emerged as a central theme influencing the well-being of these immigrant children. The children associated their happiness with various aspects of play, including personal play, play with friends, school activities, sports participation, attending interest classes, and learning about Chinese culture. Parents corroborated this sentiment, identifying play as fundamental to their children's physical and mental health. They underscored the importance of personal growth, health, happiness, and the pursuit of personal interests and hobbies. While acknowledging the relaxed lifestyle New Zealand offers their children, parents expressed concerns about the quality of math education and their children's capacity to handle future pressures. Reflecting on the future, both children and parents expressed optimistic expectations. However, this study has its limitations. It was conducted with a small sample size, relied on self-reported data, and focused narrowly on Chinese immigrants in Hamilton, during children's go-along interviews no children took photos, and the potential influence of parental religious beliefs was not addressed. These limitations pave the way for future research opportunities. Future research can address these limitations and further explore the role of play in shaping the well-being of Chinese immigrant children. Particularly, it can examine the transition from 'Tiger parenting' to recognizing the importance of play, an initial observation pointed out in this study.

year: 2023

title: The Oral Transmission of Mātauranga Māori in regard to Traditional Hokianga Stories and the Revitalization of Significant Place Names.

authors: Barnes, Maria

subjects: Hokianga

abstract: This thesis researched the oral transmission of mātauranga Māori from one generation to another with a particular focus on the significance of place names in the Hokianga area from Waimamaku through to Opononi. It also sought to understand the stories and history that accompany this area. Our oral traditions are critical in helping to define our identity as Māori, and our relationship with the land.

This thesis begins by looking at the ways in which we as Māori are connected to the land and some of our traditional values regarding cultural practices and the way our tūpuna lived.  It also shares an example of the way in which our oral traditions and histories were preserved and taught.  There is then a detailed section regarding the significance of Hokianga place names within the Waimamaku, Omapere and Opononi area of Hokianga.  This information has been provided orally from the generosity of kaumātua of our area.  Following this I have concluded by providing an overall statement about the significance of findings and outcomes of my research.

This kaupapa is important as more and more of these place names and their histories will continue to be lost if records are not kept and shared with future generations.  I also understand the importance of protecting this knowledge.  Through colonisation and over time the use of our traditional educational practices and our place names and their histories have been forgotten, watered down, and sometimes lost.  Our learning methods, histories and whakapapa constitute important elements of who we are as Māori. They recognise the past, help us to understand today and guide us into the future. 

The research strategy used in my thesis is collaborative storying co-constructed between myself the researcher and local kaumātua deemed to hold traditional knowledge of our area.  This has provided the opportunity to find out significant place names and our local histories. Prior to working on this thesis only a few names were known and understood.  However in the end we are able to get a more detailed picture of our history.  There are still plenty more place names to be found and understood.


We live and come from a beautiful place.

text: The Oral Transmission of Mātauranga Māori in regard to Traditional Hokianga Stories and the Revitalization of Significant Place Names. This thesis researched the oral transmission of mātauranga Māori from one generation to another with a particular focus on the significance of place names in the Hokianga area from Waimamaku through to Opononi. It also sought to understand the stories and history that accompany this area. Our oral traditions are critical in helping to define our identity as Māori, and our relationship with the land.

This thesis begins by looking at the ways in which we as Māori are connected to the land and some of our traditional values regarding cultural practices and the way our tūpuna lived.  It also shares an example of the way in which our oral traditions and histories were preserved and taught.  There is then a detailed section regarding the significance of Hokianga place names within the Waimamaku, Omapere and Opononi area of Hokianga.  This information has been provided orally from the generosity of kaumātua of our area.  Following this I have concluded by providing an overall statement about the significance of findings and outcomes of my research.

This kaupapa is important as more and more of these place names and their histories will continue to be lost if records are not kept and shared with future generations.  I also understand the importance of protecting this knowledge.  Through colonisation and over time the use of our traditional educational practices and our place names and their histories have been forgotten, watered down, and sometimes lost.  Our learning methods, histories and whakapapa constitute important elements of who we are as Māori. They recognise the past, help us to understand today and guide us into the future. 

The research strategy used in my thesis is collaborative storying co-constructed between myself the researcher and local kaumātua deemed to hold traditional knowledge of our area.  This has provided the opportunity to find out significant place names and our local histories. Prior to working on this thesis only a few names were known and understood.  However in the end we are able to get a more detailed picture of our history.  There are still plenty more place names to be found and understood.


We live and come from a beautiful place.

year: 2010