title: Tūhoe on the move: Regional mobility

authors: Guerin, Pauline

abstract: Academic interest in geographic mobility of indigenous peoples has increased in recent years with a corresponding growth in the literature relating to Māori mobility more specifically. With this greater acknowledgement of Māori issues has also come an awareness of the need for iwi-specific research because of the diversity within and between Māori and iwi. The present research contributes to a larger project exploring Tūhoe regional mobility. In this paper, we analyse published data and unpublished census data from 2001 that relate specifically to Tūhoe regional mobility and the relationship between mobility and language. Region of residence in 1996 and 2001 were analysed in relation to age, sex, and broad language groups. Overall, this analysis found important and diverse relationships between age, sex, language, and region of residence in New Zealand among Māori who identify as Tūhoe. For example, patterns of mobility for different age groups and sex had some similarities with other research, such as a higher proportion of “stayers” in older age groups, but differences were also found, such as higher proportions of “movers” among females in some age groups. Interestingly, we found that language between “movers” and “stayers” differed depending on the region of residence. A greater proportion of “movers” were able to converse in Māori in Auckland and the Waikato, but a slightly greater proportion of “stayers” could converse in Māori in the Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty. These results suggest that geographic mobility among Māori, and Tūhoe more specifically, are complex and should not be overly-simplified in more aggregate analyses.

text: Tūhoe on the move: Regional mobility Academic interest in geographic mobility of indigenous peoples has increased in recent years with a corresponding growth in the literature relating to Māori mobility more specifically. With this greater acknowledgement of Māori issues has also come an awareness of the need for iwi-specific research because of the diversity within and between Māori and iwi. The present research contributes to a larger project exploring Tūhoe regional mobility. In this paper, we analyse published data and unpublished census data from 2001 that relate specifically to Tūhoe regional mobility and the relationship between mobility and language. Region of residence in 1996 and 2001 were analysed in relation to age, sex, and broad language groups. Overall, this analysis found important and diverse relationships between age, sex, language, and region of residence in New Zealand among Māori who identify as Tūhoe. For example, patterns of mobility for different age groups and sex had some similarities with other research, such as a higher proportion of “stayers” in older age groups, but differences were also found, such as higher proportions of “movers” among females in some age groups. Interestingly, we found that language between “movers” and “stayers” differed depending on the region of residence. A greater proportion of “movers” were able to converse in Māori in Auckland and the Waikato, but a slightly greater proportion of “stayers” could converse in Māori in the Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty. These results suggest that geographic mobility among Māori, and Tūhoe more specifically, are complex and should not be overly-simplified in more aggregate analyses.

year: 2006

title: E Toru Ngā Reo: A Case Study of a Spanish Language Programme in a Kura Kaupapa Māori

authors: Flavell, William

subjects: Kaupapa Maori Research

abstract: Learning Languages is a new area in the 2007 New Zealand Curriculum.  However there have not been many studies in this subject.  Kura Kaupapa Māori, established in 1985 in New Zealand with over 6,000 students currently attending, have English language programmes (Hill, 2010), however few, if any, studies of the teaching of other languages have been conducted.  The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate an additional international language programme at a Kura Kaupapa Māori.

This qualitative case study describes the views of the Principal, five teachers, five students and three parents of a Kura Kaupapa Māori about an additional Spanish language programme. The primary means of gathering data was through individual semi-structured interviews.  Interviews were used to collect data in the areas of identifying the attitudes of the participants towards learning an additional international language, the perceived benefits, if any, of learning an additional international language and if there is a relationship between the learning of an  additional international language, and Kaupapa Māori.  The narrative data was transcribed, coded and categorised into four themes related to the research questions.  

 The success of this Spanish language programme can be understood in terms of several factors such as whānau support, programme leadership, quality teachers, international excursions and positive attitudes to foreign language learning.  

These findings will contribute to literature concerning additional language learning programmes, specifically those based in indigenous language immersion settings and they will also provide useful information and ideas which other Kura Kaupapa Māori can take advantage of when implementing additional international language learning programmes.

text: E Toru Ngā Reo: A Case Study of a Spanish Language Programme in a Kura Kaupapa Māori Learning Languages is a new area in the 2007 New Zealand Curriculum.  However there have not been many studies in this subject.  Kura Kaupapa Māori, established in 1985 in New Zealand with over 6,000 students currently attending, have English language programmes (Hill, 2010), however few, if any, studies of the teaching of other languages have been conducted.  The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate an additional international language programme at a Kura Kaupapa Māori.

This qualitative case study describes the views of the Principal, five teachers, five students and three parents of a Kura Kaupapa Māori about an additional Spanish language programme. The primary means of gathering data was through individual semi-structured interviews.  Interviews were used to collect data in the areas of identifying the attitudes of the participants towards learning an additional international language, the perceived benefits, if any, of learning an additional international language and if there is a relationship between the learning of an  additional international language, and Kaupapa Māori.  The narrative data was transcribed, coded and categorised into four themes related to the research questions.  

 The success of this Spanish language programme can be understood in terms of several factors such as whānau support, programme leadership, quality teachers, international excursions and positive attitudes to foreign language learning.  

These findings will contribute to literature concerning additional language learning programmes, specifically those based in indigenous language immersion settings and they will also provide useful information and ideas which other Kura Kaupapa Māori can take advantage of when implementing additional international language learning programmes.

year: 2012

title: Health Literacy: A Hermeneutic Study of New Zealand Baby Boomers

authors: Davey, Janet

subjects: Health literacy

abstract: Health literacy has traditionally been conceptualised as individual skills in a health context. Although there is growing consensus that health literacy is a multidimensional construct, interacting with socio-cultural contextual influences, such aspects are under-researched. In particular, there is limited research regarding the interrelationships between individuals’ and primary healthcare professionals’ (PHCPs) health literacy beliefs and experiences. Despite the predicted impact of the ageing population on healthcare costs and services, little empirical research has been conducted in New Zealand (NZ) on the health-related behaviour of the influential baby boomer cohort. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the phenomenon of health literacy among NZ baby boomers and PHCPs.  

Using hermeneutics as both the theoretical lens and the research method, this research draws on in-depth interviews to understand the participants’ constructions of health literacy and how their constructions influence healthcare goals and service encounters. The research takes a broad perspective of health literacy to answer the overarching research question, How are the roles and practices of health literacy perceived/constructed and performed in primary healthcare?

This thesis makes an original contribution to knowledge as the first empirical investigation of health literacy of NZ baby boomers (46 participants) and NZ primary healthcare professionals (11 participants). Specifically, this research contributes to health literacy knowledge in a geographic area (NZ) and among individuals within a generational cohort not defined by health condition or health risk. 

NZ baby boomers construct health literacy as a highly contextualised social practice linked to [a]symmetries in health-related information, power, autonomy, and patient-practitioner roles. These participants stress the importance of an individual’s personal health context, capabilities, relational processes, and networks in health literacy. Interpreting these baby boomers’ health literacy behaviours leads to five categories of description - seeker, decider, networker, sensemaker, and manager, which are appropriately framed within two horizons of self and interactivity, providing conceptual space within which individuals move and adapt their health literacy roles, responsibilities, and behaviours. 

In the PHCPs’ experiences regarding baby boomers’ health literacy there are underlying power and information imbalances, conflicting authority concerns, and [de-]professionalisation issues. Using categories of description, the PHCPs’ health literacy behaviours are described as – knowledge broker, ethical agent, and enabler. Iteratively drawing on pre-understandings, these meanings are theorised in a collective notion of managed empowerment that implies a negotiated balance between PHCP expert control and professional expertise, and patient-consumer autonomy and expertise. 

This study extends the understanding of health literacy by presenting an empirically-based conceptual framework, depicting health literacy operating across multiple levels, relationships, and networks, variably influenced by contextual factors of the postmodern health context; the communication and information revolution; and neo-liberalism and consumerism. The thesis contributes to health literacy knowledge by illustrating the fundamental role of relational processes in co-producing individuals’ health literacy and in subsequently reaching individuals’ health goals. Primary healthcare service providers, policy makers, and health promotion advocates can benefit from this study as it reveals particular health literacy roles and behaviours likely to be influential in encouraging individuals’ authentic involvement in their healthcare.

text: Health Literacy: A Hermeneutic Study of New Zealand Baby Boomers Health literacy has traditionally been conceptualised as individual skills in a health context. Although there is growing consensus that health literacy is a multidimensional construct, interacting with socio-cultural contextual influences, such aspects are under-researched. In particular, there is limited research regarding the interrelationships between individuals’ and primary healthcare professionals’ (PHCPs) health literacy beliefs and experiences. Despite the predicted impact of the ageing population on healthcare costs and services, little empirical research has been conducted in New Zealand (NZ) on the health-related behaviour of the influential baby boomer cohort. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the phenomenon of health literacy among NZ baby boomers and PHCPs.  

Using hermeneutics as both the theoretical lens and the research method, this research draws on in-depth interviews to understand the participants’ constructions of health literacy and how their constructions influence healthcare goals and service encounters. The research takes a broad perspective of health literacy to answer the overarching research question, How are the roles and practices of health literacy perceived/constructed and performed in primary healthcare?

This thesis makes an original contribution to knowledge as the first empirical investigation of health literacy of NZ baby boomers (46 participants) and NZ primary healthcare professionals (11 participants). Specifically, this research contributes to health literacy knowledge in a geographic area (NZ) and among individuals within a generational cohort not defined by health condition or health risk. 

NZ baby boomers construct health literacy as a highly contextualised social practice linked to [a]symmetries in health-related information, power, autonomy, and patient-practitioner roles. These participants stress the importance of an individual’s personal health context, capabilities, relational processes, and networks in health literacy. Interpreting these baby boomers’ health literacy behaviours leads to five categories of description - seeker, decider, networker, sensemaker, and manager, which are appropriately framed within two horizons of self and interactivity, providing conceptual space within which individuals move and adapt their health literacy roles, responsibilities, and behaviours. 

In the PHCPs’ experiences regarding baby boomers’ health literacy there are underlying power and information imbalances, conflicting authority concerns, and [de-]professionalisation issues. Using categories of description, the PHCPs’ health literacy behaviours are described as – knowledge broker, ethical agent, and enabler. Iteratively drawing on pre-understandings, these meanings are theorised in a collective notion of managed empowerment that implies a negotiated balance between PHCP expert control and professional expertise, and patient-consumer autonomy and expertise. 

This study extends the understanding of health literacy by presenting an empirically-based conceptual framework, depicting health literacy operating across multiple levels, relationships, and networks, variably influenced by contextual factors of the postmodern health context; the communication and information revolution; and neo-liberalism and consumerism. The thesis contributes to health literacy knowledge by illustrating the fundamental role of relational processes in co-producing individuals’ health literacy and in subsequently reaching individuals’ health goals. Primary healthcare service providers, policy makers, and health promotion advocates can benefit from this study as it reveals particular health literacy roles and behaviours likely to be influential in encouraging individuals’ authentic involvement in their healthcare.

year: 2015