title: Tihei Mauri Ora: A Māori response to health disparities

authors: Waitoa, Alieta Jei

subjects: Maori

abstract: Māori bear a disproportionate burden of health problems which, in concert with other factors (e.g. poor housing, low socio-economic status and low education attainment), contribute to and maintain low health status. It is noted that there have been multiple attempts to reduce health inequities – however, such attempts have been largely unsuccessful. Barriers to success include government reticence, restrictions on Māori participation in determining health directions/solutions, current contract paradigms and a reluctance to engage in meaningful partnerships with Māori. Those barriers occur within a cultural framework which defines (and therefore prioritises) the health of an individual over the needs of the collective.

The hypothesis of this research is that Māori health disparities are best addressed via the development and delivery of Māori health models by services which are oriented to kaupapa Māori principles. Utilising a case study approach, this thesis looks at the outcomes generated when a kaupapa Māori service applies key Māori principles to health service delivery. The case study, in tandem with focus group interviews identifies the key elements necessary to developing services which are responsive to the needs of Māori.

This study identified the importance of promoting change (and ultimately improve Māori health status) that encompasses the formation of a framework which considers collective benefit over individualism, encompasses Māori values, acknowledges and accepts Māoricentric clinical interventions. In addition, the thesis asserts that Māori health status will improve once Māori are active participants rather than recipients of health services.

text: Tihei Mauri Ora: A Māori response to health disparities Māori bear a disproportionate burden of health problems which, in concert with other factors (e.g. poor housing, low socio-economic status and low education attainment), contribute to and maintain low health status. It is noted that there have been multiple attempts to reduce health inequities – however, such attempts have been largely unsuccessful. Barriers to success include government reticence, restrictions on Māori participation in determining health directions/solutions, current contract paradigms and a reluctance to engage in meaningful partnerships with Māori. Those barriers occur within a cultural framework which defines (and therefore prioritises) the health of an individual over the needs of the collective.

The hypothesis of this research is that Māori health disparities are best addressed via the development and delivery of Māori health models by services which are oriented to kaupapa Māori principles. Utilising a case study approach, this thesis looks at the outcomes generated when a kaupapa Māori service applies key Māori principles to health service delivery. The case study, in tandem with focus group interviews identifies the key elements necessary to developing services which are responsive to the needs of Māori.

This study identified the importance of promoting change (and ultimately improve Māori health status) that encompasses the formation of a framework which considers collective benefit over individualism, encompasses Māori values, acknowledges and accepts Māoricentric clinical interventions. In addition, the thesis asserts that Māori health status will improve once Māori are active participants rather than recipients of health services.

year: 2014

title: Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – A Māori framework for coastal climate change adaptation

authors: Bailey-Winiata, Akuhata

subjects: Climate Change Adaptation

abstract: Current climate change adaptation frameworks do not sufficiently represent or acknowledge the intricacies and complex nature of climate adaptation for all communities. This thesis contributes a Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand (A-NZ)) climate adaptation framework that is informed by Te Ao Māori world views, mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) and research at the interface of Western knowledge and mātauranga Māori. This is needed to promote a more equitable and culturally sensitive approach to the current climate change adaptation process for hapū (sub-tribes) and iwi (tribes). To achieve this, this thesis is rooted in the whakataukī (proverb) “Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past”, which exemplifies the power of acknowledging Māori history and intergenerational knowledge, while moving forward to a prosperous future. This thesis had four key aims. First, I looked to the past to understand ways Māori ancestors adapted and relocated in response to natural hazards to inform a future climate adaptation or relocation process. Second, I took stock of the contemporary risk to coastal marae (Māori meeting grounds) from sea level rise. Third, I looked internationally at other Indigenous communities' adaptation challenges and how they have overcome them as a mutual learning opportunity. And finally, I developed a conceptual Māori climate adaptation framework based on existing models and informed by a wānanga (workshop) with over 100 Māori participants. This two-part framework emphasises the importance of fostering Te Tiriti-centric relationships and partnerships that are essential for climate adaptation with hapū and iwi. In addition, it serves as a guide to support adaptation decision-making for hapū and iwi Māori. This thesis took a multidisciplinary approach to achieve these aims, incorporating historical and archival analyses, semi-structured interviews, a systematic review, coastal flooding and exposure analyses using spatial information, and wānanga. The findings highlighted that relocation due to natural hazards is not uncommon for Māori, as this thesis identified 51 examples of where relocation was completed or discussed in response to natural hazards. Furthermore, in a case study with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Rangitihi, this thesis identified vital aspects that enabled their relocation following the 1886 Tarawera eruption, the most influential being tuku whenua – the gifting of land to relocate to. This thesis also identified that by 2150, under shared socio-economic pathway (SSP) 5-8.5, 27% and 28% of coastal marae (total of 186 nationally) are exposed to a 100–year and 1000–year annual recurrence interval (ARI) extreme sea level events, respectively. Overall, this thesis contributes to our understanding of the requirements to support hapū and iwi Māori in climate adaptation, with parallels to other Indigenous communities. Requirements include resourcing, partnerships, autonomy, intergenerational planning, recognition, respect and redress. In Chapter 8 – the discussion of this thesis, we focus on four overall contributions this thesis has made, which are: 1) Hapū and iwi Māori are at risk of climate change, 2) We’ve done it before we can do it again, 3) Adaptation approach cannot be one-size-fits-all, and 4) Adaptation in Aotearoa needs a Te Tiriti-centric approach. Ultimately, this thesis underscores the urgent need for inclusive climate adaptation strategies that honour Indigenous knowledge systems, ensuring that hapū and iwi Māori are not only heard but are actively supported in navigating the impacts of climate change.

text: Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – A Māori framework for coastal climate change adaptation Current climate change adaptation frameworks do not sufficiently represent or acknowledge the intricacies and complex nature of climate adaptation for all communities. This thesis contributes a Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand (A-NZ)) climate adaptation framework that is informed by Te Ao Māori world views, mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) and research at the interface of Western knowledge and mātauranga Māori. This is needed to promote a more equitable and culturally sensitive approach to the current climate change adaptation process for hapū (sub-tribes) and iwi (tribes). To achieve this, this thesis is rooted in the whakataukī (proverb) “Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past”, which exemplifies the power of acknowledging Māori history and intergenerational knowledge, while moving forward to a prosperous future. This thesis had four key aims. First, I looked to the past to understand ways Māori ancestors adapted and relocated in response to natural hazards to inform a future climate adaptation or relocation process. Second, I took stock of the contemporary risk to coastal marae (Māori meeting grounds) from sea level rise. Third, I looked internationally at other Indigenous communities' adaptation challenges and how they have overcome them as a mutual learning opportunity. And finally, I developed a conceptual Māori climate adaptation framework based on existing models and informed by a wānanga (workshop) with over 100 Māori participants. This two-part framework emphasises the importance of fostering Te Tiriti-centric relationships and partnerships that are essential for climate adaptation with hapū and iwi. In addition, it serves as a guide to support adaptation decision-making for hapū and iwi Māori. This thesis took a multidisciplinary approach to achieve these aims, incorporating historical and archival analyses, semi-structured interviews, a systematic review, coastal flooding and exposure analyses using spatial information, and wānanga. The findings highlighted that relocation due to natural hazards is not uncommon for Māori, as this thesis identified 51 examples of where relocation was completed or discussed in response to natural hazards. Furthermore, in a case study with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Rangitihi, this thesis identified vital aspects that enabled their relocation following the 1886 Tarawera eruption, the most influential being tuku whenua – the gifting of land to relocate to. This thesis also identified that by 2150, under shared socio-economic pathway (SSP) 5-8.5, 27% and 28% of coastal marae (total of 186 nationally) are exposed to a 100–year and 1000–year annual recurrence interval (ARI) extreme sea level events, respectively. Overall, this thesis contributes to our understanding of the requirements to support hapū and iwi Māori in climate adaptation, with parallels to other Indigenous communities. Requirements include resourcing, partnerships, autonomy, intergenerational planning, recognition, respect and redress. In Chapter 8 – the discussion of this thesis, we focus on four overall contributions this thesis has made, which are: 1) Hapū and iwi Māori are at risk of climate change, 2) We’ve done it before we can do it again, 3) Adaptation approach cannot be one-size-fits-all, and 4) Adaptation in Aotearoa needs a Te Tiriti-centric approach. Ultimately, this thesis underscores the urgent need for inclusive climate adaptation strategies that honour Indigenous knowledge systems, ensuring that hapū and iwi Māori are not only heard but are actively supported in navigating the impacts of climate change.

year: 2024-05-28

title: Fakakoloa as embodied mana moana and agency: Postcolonial sociology within Oceania

authors: Fa'avae, David Taufui Mkiato

abstract: The coupling of mana moana is grounded in inspiration from and through Indigeneity and Moana sense-making (intimate understanding through our sensibilities within Oceania). Tongan meaning-making is centred on talanoa-vā, a framework that begins theorisation and analytical unpacking from an Indigenous Moana relational vantage point. We employ talatalanoa (ongoing conversations) to story and capture our conceptualisations of fakakoloa (purposefully sharing and imparting knowledge) and mana moana across interdisciplinary intersections as Tongan male educators and researchers working across the social sciences and health sciences. Our unpacking of mana moana as collective agency and responsibility is a feature of being located in tu‘atonga (outside of Tonga; also relates to the Tongan diaspora). Fronting and centring Tongan thought and concepts is our way of grounding relational sense-making in Aotearoa/New Zealand whenua (places). Sociological inquiry through decoloniality within the postcolonial era from a Moana vantage point relies on approaches like talanoa-vā and talatalanoa to disrupt the normalised conditions and traditions of thinking and theorising within Euro-American-centric academe.

text: Fakakoloa as embodied mana moana and agency: Postcolonial sociology within Oceania The coupling of mana moana is grounded in inspiration from and through Indigeneity and Moana sense-making (intimate understanding through our sensibilities within Oceania). Tongan meaning-making is centred on talanoa-vā, a framework that begins theorisation and analytical unpacking from an Indigenous Moana relational vantage point. We employ talatalanoa (ongoing conversations) to story and capture our conceptualisations of fakakoloa (purposefully sharing and imparting knowledge) and mana moana across interdisciplinary intersections as Tongan male educators and researchers working across the social sciences and health sciences. Our unpacking of mana moana as collective agency and responsibility is a feature of being located in tu‘atonga (outside of Tonga; also relates to the Tongan diaspora). Fronting and centring Tongan thought and concepts is our way of grounding relational sense-making in Aotearoa/New Zealand whenua (places). Sociological inquiry through decoloniality within the postcolonial era from a Moana vantage point relies on approaches like talanoa-vā and talatalanoa to disrupt the normalised conditions and traditions of thinking and theorising within Euro-American-centric academe.

year: 2022