title: Toi Tuku Iho: An exploration of oranga and mana motuhake through toi

authors: Waititi, Kahurangi Rora

subjects: Toi tuku iho

abstract: This research examines how mahi toi as process, theory, and output can contribute to oranga and mana motuhake for whānau, hapū, and iwi which is explored through the tribal storytelling practices of Te Whānau a Apanui. In this thesis, I argue that kōrero tuku iho is the umbilical link to our ancestors that sustains us with teachings; cultivating a richness and depth of self and connection through story. I demonstrate that the vehicles of sharing are as varied as the stories themselves and are known as “toi” or our creative expressions of kōrero tuku iho. 
The key focus of this thesis is to reveal how toi can be used to decolonise and re-indigenise research methodologies and facilitate transformation through praxis. Iwi storytellers were interviewed, sharing that within our toi practices lie a myriad of ways to challenge colonial structures and ideologies, ground us in tīpuna knowledge systems, and provide a space to innovate solutions to the challenges of te ao hurihuri (a changing world). The kaikōrero provided a collective and relational lens that fostered the development of a Toi Tuku Iho methodology. This was processed through a creative output that I created of a digital story that was filmed to reveal how knowledge through stories can become taonga tuku iho. A Toi Tuku Iho methodology is proffered to understand the complex processes of iwi storytelling and reveal the relationality between innovation and what this thesis refers to as the tipuna continuum.
Themes explored in the thesis are an ecosystem of learning through people, place, story, whakapapa and time; how iwi oranga is viewed and contributed to by toi; and how mana motuhake is embraced and enacted through kōrero tuku iho. Furthermore, the application of kaupapa Māori creative practices to this research expands the academic confines of knowledge production to include Indigenous stories and toi. The thesis demonstrates that the research process, potential products, and outcomes, are transformed by using these practices.  Storyscapes, timescapes, landscapes and generations past and future merge together, in this research, to facilitate dreams and aspirations for future generations. The collapsing of timescapes is explored through audio-visual digital storytelling, a medium known to manoeuvre time to enhance a story. I seek to amplify the power of tribal storytelling through toi to transform the spaces we occupy both within and outside of our iwi. Mahi toi ignites our creative selves to dream and can activate a belief to explore beyond what we know. I argue that Toi Tuku Iho has the potential to engage communities, on their own terms, in their own ways and for their own means.

text: Toi Tuku Iho: An exploration of oranga and mana motuhake through toi This research examines how mahi toi as process, theory, and output can contribute to oranga and mana motuhake for whānau, hapū, and iwi which is explored through the tribal storytelling practices of Te Whānau a Apanui. In this thesis, I argue that kōrero tuku iho is the umbilical link to our ancestors that sustains us with teachings; cultivating a richness and depth of self and connection through story. I demonstrate that the vehicles of sharing are as varied as the stories themselves and are known as “toi” or our creative expressions of kōrero tuku iho. 
The key focus of this thesis is to reveal how toi can be used to decolonise and re-indigenise research methodologies and facilitate transformation through praxis. Iwi storytellers were interviewed, sharing that within our toi practices lie a myriad of ways to challenge colonial structures and ideologies, ground us in tīpuna knowledge systems, and provide a space to innovate solutions to the challenges of te ao hurihuri (a changing world). The kaikōrero provided a collective and relational lens that fostered the development of a Toi Tuku Iho methodology. This was processed through a creative output that I created of a digital story that was filmed to reveal how knowledge through stories can become taonga tuku iho. A Toi Tuku Iho methodology is proffered to understand the complex processes of iwi storytelling and reveal the relationality between innovation and what this thesis refers to as the tipuna continuum.
Themes explored in the thesis are an ecosystem of learning through people, place, story, whakapapa and time; how iwi oranga is viewed and contributed to by toi; and how mana motuhake is embraced and enacted through kōrero tuku iho. Furthermore, the application of kaupapa Māori creative practices to this research expands the academic confines of knowledge production to include Indigenous stories and toi. The thesis demonstrates that the research process, potential products, and outcomes, are transformed by using these practices.  Storyscapes, timescapes, landscapes and generations past and future merge together, in this research, to facilitate dreams and aspirations for future generations. The collapsing of timescapes is explored through audio-visual digital storytelling, a medium known to manoeuvre time to enhance a story. I seek to amplify the power of tribal storytelling through toi to transform the spaces we occupy both within and outside of our iwi. Mahi toi ignites our creative selves to dream and can activate a belief to explore beyond what we know. I argue that Toi Tuku Iho has the potential to engage communities, on their own terms, in their own ways and for their own means.

year: 2023

title: Tracking patterns of tribal identification in the New Zealand census, 1991 to 2006

authors: Kukutai, Tahu

abstract: Despite the growing political and economic importance of iwi in New Zealand, little attention has been given to their changing demography. Using data from the New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings, we analyse the growth trajectories of four iwi - Ngāi Tahu, Waikato, Ngāti Awa and Tūhoe - between 1991 and 2006. We find a great deal of variation in iwi growth between censuses and over the entire focal period. In most instances, iwi birth cohorts increased rather than decreased in size, and gains from “new” members were especially marked among children, the middle-aged and women. The findings confirm the importance of accounting for non-demographic factors when projecting and planning for future iwi population growth.

text: Tracking patterns of tribal identification in the New Zealand census, 1991 to 2006 Despite the growing political and economic importance of iwi in New Zealand, little attention has been given to their changing demography. Using data from the New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings, we analyse the growth trajectories of four iwi - Ngāi Tahu, Waikato, Ngāti Awa and Tūhoe - between 1991 and 2006. We find a great deal of variation in iwi growth between censuses and over the entire focal period. In most instances, iwi birth cohorts increased rather than decreased in size, and gains from “new” members were especially marked among children, the middle-aged and women. The findings confirm the importance of accounting for non-demographic factors when projecting and planning for future iwi population growth.

year: 2013

title: Non-suicidal self-injury and outward-directed injury: An exploration into commonalities in engagement and function within an Aotearoa New Zealand youth sample

authors: Trappitt Smith, Anita

subjects: NSSI

abstract: This research explores two detrimental issues confronting an increasing number of young people: non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and outward-directed injury (ODI). Researchers and service providers often approach these behaviours in vastly differently ways. NSSI is understood as the direct and deliberate destruction of one’s own skin tissue, unsanctioned socially or culturally, occurring in the absence of suicidal intent. This behaviour is often associated with depressed or highly distressed females. Self-directed injury (SDI) of this type often evokes sympathy from others and can result in increased care and support for those engaging in these behaviours. Outward-directed injury (ODI) is a novel term explored through this study and intended to capture harmful behaviours which are directed externally or outward, potentially causing injury to another or damage to an object, seemingly in an aggressive act, with the intent to injure oneself. Examples of ODI include: wall- / object-punching, fighting or other aggressive acts. Stereotypically, ODI behaviours are more often associated with males and tend to be viewed with derision and punitive responses. NSSI and ODI both appear to be predicated by strong emotions and may be used to regulate these. The current study uses an established survey containing two well-validated measures to explore NZ respondents' engagement in and perceptions of these behaviours. Survey data is analysed according to gender, emotional distress, and behaviour functionality. Gender was found to play a significant role in both classes of behaviours with females endorsing SDI more frequently than males and males endorsing ODI more than females. This study also found that people who hurt themselves through either SDI or ODI report more psychological distress than those who do not engage in any self-injurious behaviour. This study also found those who engage in ODI are significantly more distressed than those who engage in SDI, whilst those with dual engagement (employing both SDI and ODI) are most distressed of all. Study findings also showed emotion regulation to be a primary function for both SDI and ODI engagement.

text: Non-suicidal self-injury and outward-directed injury: An exploration into commonalities in engagement and function within an Aotearoa New Zealand youth sample This research explores two detrimental issues confronting an increasing number of young people: non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and outward-directed injury (ODI). Researchers and service providers often approach these behaviours in vastly differently ways. NSSI is understood as the direct and deliberate destruction of one’s own skin tissue, unsanctioned socially or culturally, occurring in the absence of suicidal intent. This behaviour is often associated with depressed or highly distressed females. Self-directed injury (SDI) of this type often evokes sympathy from others and can result in increased care and support for those engaging in these behaviours. Outward-directed injury (ODI) is a novel term explored through this study and intended to capture harmful behaviours which are directed externally or outward, potentially causing injury to another or damage to an object, seemingly in an aggressive act, with the intent to injure oneself. Examples of ODI include: wall- / object-punching, fighting or other aggressive acts. Stereotypically, ODI behaviours are more often associated with males and tend to be viewed with derision and punitive responses. NSSI and ODI both appear to be predicated by strong emotions and may be used to regulate these. The current study uses an established survey containing two well-validated measures to explore NZ respondents' engagement in and perceptions of these behaviours. Survey data is analysed according to gender, emotional distress, and behaviour functionality. Gender was found to play a significant role in both classes of behaviours with females endorsing SDI more frequently than males and males endorsing ODI more than females. This study also found that people who hurt themselves through either SDI or ODI report more psychological distress than those who do not engage in any self-injurious behaviour. This study also found those who engage in ODI are significantly more distressed than those who engage in SDI, whilst those with dual engagement (employing both SDI and ODI) are most distressed of all. Study findings also showed emotion regulation to be a primary function for both SDI and ODI engagement.

year: 2025-01-24