title: Evaluation of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service of Te Whakaruruhau: Final report

authors: Robertson, Neville

subjects: whānau ora

abstract: Domestic violence and child abuse represent significant threats to whānau ora. Conversely, the weakening or loss of whānau ties can increase the vulnerability of whānau members to domestic violence and child abuse. Thus enhancing whānau ora in the context of domestic violence and child abuse is both a high priority and a significant challenge.

Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women’s Refuge has been providing safe housing, support and advocacy to women and children for over two decades and has become a key agency in family violence networks in Kirikiriroa. The development of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service, the focus of this evaluation, was a logical extension of Refuge services.

The Māori and Psychology Research Unit was commissioned in mid‐2011 to conduct this evaluation. It is based on ten case studies of clients in the programme, interviews with Te Whakaruruhau staff and key informants in allied agencies, and participant‐observation of Refuge activities. The case studies provide insights into the lived experience of women dealing with violence, their attempts to protect themselves and their children, and their experiences of – and reflections upon – the Whānau Ora Wellbeing programme.

text: Evaluation of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service of Te Whakaruruhau: Final report Domestic violence and child abuse represent significant threats to whānau ora. Conversely, the weakening or loss of whānau ties can increase the vulnerability of whānau members to domestic violence and child abuse. Thus enhancing whānau ora in the context of domestic violence and child abuse is both a high priority and a significant challenge.

Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women’s Refuge has been providing safe housing, support and advocacy to women and children for over two decades and has become a key agency in family violence networks in Kirikiriroa. The development of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service, the focus of this evaluation, was a logical extension of Refuge services.

The Māori and Psychology Research Unit was commissioned in mid‐2011 to conduct this evaluation. It is based on ten case studies of clients in the programme, interviews with Te Whakaruruhau staff and key informants in allied agencies, and participant‐observation of Refuge activities. The case studies provide insights into the lived experience of women dealing with violence, their attempts to protect themselves and their children, and their experiences of – and reflections upon – the Whānau Ora Wellbeing programme.

year: 2013-07-20

title: Te Tuhirau i Rehu i Ringa: Translating Sacred and Sensitive Texts: An Indigenous Perspective

authors: Tipene, Jillian

subjects: translation

abstract: This thesis centers on translator cognition. Through a series of interviews and think-aloud protocols (Chapters 3 – 5), it explores the ways in which a sample of translators (both Māori and non-Māori) negotiate the complex issues involved in translating between a local, Indigenous language (Māori) and an international one (English) and, in particular, how they approach the definition and translation of texts that could be regarded as being ‘sacred’ and/or ‘sensitive’. In their definitions of ‘sacred’ texts and ‘sensitive’ texts, all of the participants exhibited a peculiarly postmodern positioning, focussing primarily on perspective rather than on any absolute concept of truth or reality. With the exception of the Māori participants’ traditional definition of, and approach to texts deemed to be ‘tapu’ (see Chapter 3), all of the participants expressed beliefs about the translation process which were largely structurally-orientated. They emphasized the importance of respecting the cultural context out of which texts emerged and of attempting, in translation, to reflect the meanings deemed to reside in the source texts by virtue of the intentions of their authors. As witnessed in their think-aloud protocols, however, when involved in the actual process of translation the translators did not always adhere to the views expressed in their interviews, with translation procedures ranging from one that was primarily modernist and structural in orientation (but also reflecting the careful attention to co-text and cohesion that is characteristic of much recent research on discourse analysis) to one that was primarily postmodern and post-structural in orientation, being highly personal, autonomous and individualistic.  

In the absence of any clear agreement about translation theory in the literature on translation (see Chapter 2), and at a time when pre-modern, modern and postmodern positioning and structural and post-structural perspectives vie for acceptance, each of the participants in this research project appears to have found his or her own way of traversing the complex terrain of translation practice without necessarily being fully aware of the way in which the decisions they made positioned them theoretically. What this suggests is the need for a type of training that introduces novice translators in an explicit way to a variety of theories about human language and communication and the ways in which they can impinge upon translation practice, thus creating a context in which translators are able to make critically informed decisions about how they will proceed in any particular instance, why they will proceed in these ways, and what is required in order to ensure that their beliefs about translation are in accord with their actual practices. Critical awareness of these issues is likely to be particularly important in the case of those involved in translating between international languages such as English and more localized, Indigenous languages such as Māori, where discontinuity in the transmission of the language has occurred and where, therefore, texts that are deemed to be of particular significance would otherwise be unavailable to those for whom the texts form part of their cultural heritage.

text: Te Tuhirau i Rehu i Ringa: Translating Sacred and Sensitive Texts: An Indigenous Perspective This thesis centers on translator cognition. Through a series of interviews and think-aloud protocols (Chapters 3 – 5), it explores the ways in which a sample of translators (both Māori and non-Māori) negotiate the complex issues involved in translating between a local, Indigenous language (Māori) and an international one (English) and, in particular, how they approach the definition and translation of texts that could be regarded as being ‘sacred’ and/or ‘sensitive’. In their definitions of ‘sacred’ texts and ‘sensitive’ texts, all of the participants exhibited a peculiarly postmodern positioning, focussing primarily on perspective rather than on any absolute concept of truth or reality. With the exception of the Māori participants’ traditional definition of, and approach to texts deemed to be ‘tapu’ (see Chapter 3), all of the participants expressed beliefs about the translation process which were largely structurally-orientated. They emphasized the importance of respecting the cultural context out of which texts emerged and of attempting, in translation, to reflect the meanings deemed to reside in the source texts by virtue of the intentions of their authors. As witnessed in their think-aloud protocols, however, when involved in the actual process of translation the translators did not always adhere to the views expressed in their interviews, with translation procedures ranging from one that was primarily modernist and structural in orientation (but also reflecting the careful attention to co-text and cohesion that is characteristic of much recent research on discourse analysis) to one that was primarily postmodern and post-structural in orientation, being highly personal, autonomous and individualistic.  

In the absence of any clear agreement about translation theory in the literature on translation (see Chapter 2), and at a time when pre-modern, modern and postmodern positioning and structural and post-structural perspectives vie for acceptance, each of the participants in this research project appears to have found his or her own way of traversing the complex terrain of translation practice without necessarily being fully aware of the way in which the decisions they made positioned them theoretically. What this suggests is the need for a type of training that introduces novice translators in an explicit way to a variety of theories about human language and communication and the ways in which they can impinge upon translation practice, thus creating a context in which translators are able to make critically informed decisions about how they will proceed in any particular instance, why they will proceed in these ways, and what is required in order to ensure that their beliefs about translation are in accord with their actual practices. Critical awareness of these issues is likely to be particularly important in the case of those involved in translating between international languages such as English and more localized, Indigenous languages such as Māori, where discontinuity in the transmission of the language has occurred and where, therefore, texts that are deemed to be of particular significance would otherwise be unavailable to those for whom the texts form part of their cultural heritage.

year: 2014

title: Exploring effective digital technologies programmes: Perspectives of middle school teachers and leaders

authors: Buckle, Shannon

subjects: Digital Technologies

abstract: Recognising the growing demand for digital skills in the 21st century, the Ministry of Education (MoE) introduced a Digital Technologies (DT) element to the Technology Curriculum in 2018, aiming to equip students with the knowledge and capabilities to thrive in a technology-driven world. However, the implementation of this new curriculum, mandated to start in 2020, presented challenges for schools, leaders and teachers, particularly regarding teacher confidence, skill development, and pedagogical approaches. 

This thesis examines the implementation of the digital technologies content of the New Zealand Technology Curriculum (DTC) in New Zealand middle schools, specifically focusing on how schools can effectively implement DT programmes. The research adopts a qualitative, interpretivist, collective Case Study approach, focusing on two middle schools in the Waikato region. Data was gathered through focus groups, document analysis, classroom observations, and interviews with teachers and leaders at the participating schools. This data was then analysed thematically. The findings highlight the crucial roles that both school leaders and teachers play in the effective implementation of DT programmes. The research identified two central themes: ‘Leaders as Catalysts for Digital Advancement’ and ‘Teachers as Digital Technologies Champions’.

Leaders were found to catalyse digital advancement by:
• Establishing clear goals and expectations.
• Allocating resources strategically.
• Attending to their own learning.
• Supporting teachers to build their confidence and competence in DT.

Teachers, in turn, championed successful DT programmes by:
• Understanding and responding to the rationale and purposes for digital technologies.
• Demonstrating learning dispositions towards innovation and change.
• Deliberately utilising a range of DT tools.
• Leveraging pedagogical strategies to enhance engagement and achievement.

The research emphasises the importance of aligning leadership actions with teacher needs to create a supportive environment for DT implementation. Furthermore, a Digital Technologies Content Implementation Tool (DTCIT V2) has been proposed, through partnering the findings of the study with the TPACK model and other scholarship. Literature suggests that the challenges associated with implementation of the DTC – confidence, skill and pedagogy, can be addressed through teachers developing their content knowledge, technological knowledge and curriculum integration.

The findings highlight the need for ongoing, tailored professional learning and development (PLD) opportunities to address teacher anxieties and build confidence and competence in delivering the DTC. It is hoped that the findings of this research will assist teachers and leaders to move through the challenges of implementing the DTC and develop effective Digital Technologies programmes for their learners.

text: Exploring effective digital technologies programmes: Perspectives of middle school teachers and leaders Recognising the growing demand for digital skills in the 21st century, the Ministry of Education (MoE) introduced a Digital Technologies (DT) element to the Technology Curriculum in 2018, aiming to equip students with the knowledge and capabilities to thrive in a technology-driven world. However, the implementation of this new curriculum, mandated to start in 2020, presented challenges for schools, leaders and teachers, particularly regarding teacher confidence, skill development, and pedagogical approaches. 

This thesis examines the implementation of the digital technologies content of the New Zealand Technology Curriculum (DTC) in New Zealand middle schools, specifically focusing on how schools can effectively implement DT programmes. The research adopts a qualitative, interpretivist, collective Case Study approach, focusing on two middle schools in the Waikato region. Data was gathered through focus groups, document analysis, classroom observations, and interviews with teachers and leaders at the participating schools. This data was then analysed thematically. The findings highlight the crucial roles that both school leaders and teachers play in the effective implementation of DT programmes. The research identified two central themes: ‘Leaders as Catalysts for Digital Advancement’ and ‘Teachers as Digital Technologies Champions’.

Leaders were found to catalyse digital advancement by:
• Establishing clear goals and expectations.
• Allocating resources strategically.
• Attending to their own learning.
• Supporting teachers to build their confidence and competence in DT.

Teachers, in turn, championed successful DT programmes by:
• Understanding and responding to the rationale and purposes for digital technologies.
• Demonstrating learning dispositions towards innovation and change.
• Deliberately utilising a range of DT tools.
• Leveraging pedagogical strategies to enhance engagement and achievement.

The research emphasises the importance of aligning leadership actions with teacher needs to create a supportive environment for DT implementation. Furthermore, a Digital Technologies Content Implementation Tool (DTCIT V2) has been proposed, through partnering the findings of the study with the TPACK model and other scholarship. Literature suggests that the challenges associated with implementation of the DTC – confidence, skill and pedagogy, can be addressed through teachers developing their content knowledge, technological knowledge and curriculum integration.

The findings highlight the need for ongoing, tailored professional learning and development (PLD) opportunities to address teacher anxieties and build confidence and competence in delivering the DTC. It is hoped that the findings of this research will assist teachers and leaders to move through the challenges of implementing the DTC and develop effective Digital Technologies programmes for their learners.

year: 2025