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Mai i te Kāhui Mounga ki Te Toka Tūmoana : Māori social workers’ experiences of growing up, the influence of whānau on their upbringing, and how these experiences impact their social work practice : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2024) Watson, Andrea (Ange) Makere
Kaimahi (Māori social workers) are like toka tūmoana – sometimes standing steadfast in a sea of chaos and uncertainty when working alongside whānau on change journeys. This thesis examines kaimahi growing up experiences, the influence of whānau on their upbringing, and how these experiences impact on their mahi as social work practitioners. This qualitative research project utilised Kaupapa Māori theory, incorporating a Mātauranga-ā-Taranaki methodological approach. The pūrākau of Pukeonaki ki Taranaki was utilised to assist in the interpretation of kaimahi experiences resulting in the construction of an overarching Te Kāhui Mounga ki Te Toka Tūmoana framework. Sixteen kaimahi were interviewed for this project, alongside separate interviews for some of their whānau members – eleven individual whānau members participated in six whānau hui. Key findings identified that kaimahi bring their lived experiences to social work which enables them to connect with maginalised whānau they work alongside. Theoretical understandings about becoming within te ao Māori illustrate how social work practice is always evolving with no finite end. The research also captured the voices of the whānau of kaimahi who were positive about having social work trained whānau members, often accessing them for their specialist knowledge, skillset, networks and resources. Participants identified that Māori have always been social workers practicing kaimahi ā whānau within whānau, hapū and iwi. It is subsequently argued that contemporary Māori social work practice can be traced to the Parihaka peace resistance movement, as the first documented form of Māori social and community work in Aotearoa. He Whāriki Haumaru model, developed within this thesis, illustrates how natural social work happens within whānau Māori with the threads of aroha (loving relationships), mokopuna ora, ngā mātāpono ā whānau (whānau values and beliefs), te taiao, hāpaitia (whānau happiness, unity, and connection), pou manawa (resources and resilience) kōrero (clear communication), and moemoeā (whānau aspirations) included. Kaimahi ā whānau networks have always operationalised these Māori-centric value systems to encourage oranga-ā-whānau – flourishing families.
Perspectives of Kaimahi Māori : the challenges and opportunities within mainstream social work settings : a thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2023) Whakarau, Kaysha L
Māori social workers are faced with varying challenges and opportunities when working in mainstream social has not and is not currently occurring as organically as one might expect. Over the course of history, tāngata whenua have implemented and cultivated strong fundamentals of indigenous knowledge, theories, and values – these fundamentals can be implemented in a person’s professional and personal lives. As Māori social workers provide their service within their respective communities, they are often faced with challenges that their Pākehā colleagues do not encounter due to their ethnicity. They are faced with challenges Pākehā will not experience because of their ethnicity. These encounters present as a wero (challenge). Ultimately, kaimahi find themselves in this field of work to provide whānau and tamariki options to work towards, address trauma and to make sustained changes that benefit them and their whānau. By understanding the intricacies of what kaimahi experience, provides a unique perspective into how we can continue to strive for sound practice that is not based on mainstream ideologies. This research explores the perspectives of Māori social workers on the challenges and opportunities they experience while working or having worked within mainstream social work settings. The journey of the participants interviewed has been key when identifying and investigating how they each navigated the social work systems. It explores the integration of their personal, professional, and cultural roles in the concept of whānau wellbeing, taking into consideration how indigenous practice frameworks are utilised and recorded with mainstream recording constructs. As Māori social workers continue to navigate the varying mainstream systems, they are faced with many burdens of responsibilities. Being considered an expert of all things Māori, they are often a sought-after resource when working with whānau who have distrust in the system. This naturally has consequences both positive and negative and as a practitioner, walking between two worlds (Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā) this is one outcome of being employed within the mainstream setting. Of interest, the participants I spoke to raised various examples of the challenges and opportunities they were faced with. Burnout and Fatigue, Lived Experiences, Racism were just three of thirteen key findings within this research. Each finding spends time unpacking how and what this looked like and the overall effect this has on both the practitioner, the organisation and the whānau in which they are working with. This research has the potential to help future research of Māori social work in Aotearoa, particularly as a response and tool to implement cultural shifts within mainstream organisations. For any change to occur, there requires a need and a desire to make things happen. As part of my recommendations, there is current capacity for organisations to consider implementing Māori focussed and dedicated Full Time Equivalent (FTE) roles. These roles are valuable, as they provide a natural cultural lens that whānau naturally connect with. With an overwhelming statistic of negative Māori health outcomes – it requires a strong cultural shift within the social work field to start implementing and changing outcomes for the better.
Kaitiakitanga : Māori experiences, expressions, and understandings : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Manawatū, Aotearoa New Zealand
(Massey University, 2022) Beverland, Marjorie Jane Hera
This doctoral thesis investigates Māori experiences, expressions, and understandings of kaitiakitanga. Kaitiakitanga is understood as a philosophy connected to three realms, the metaphysical, physical, and human realms. Whether the practice of kaitiakitanga has morphed from its customary understanding situated within the metaphysical, physical, and human realms to a human centric practice is a key focus explored in this study. Kaitiakitanga is considered an environmental ethic and concerns Māori responsibilities and obligations regarding land, water, wāhi tapu, and taonga. Kaitiakitanga is often defined to justify the Māori worldview regarding the environment, resource management, and sustainability. There is a solid and growing base of literature concerning Kaitiakitanga as an environment, sustainability, and productivity ethic, which is derived primarily from hapū, iwi, Waitangi Tribunals, and legal contexts. However, further research is needed regarding the human realm and human experiences, expressions, and understandings of kaitiakitanga and its practice. Kawharu (1998) argued in her seminal work on kaitiakitanga, that its implementation is as much about managing people as it is about managing resources and specifically noted that kaitiakitanga is not simply an environmental ethic but a socio-environmental ethic. The human realm is explored throughout this thesis to identify areas to grow and develop kaitiakitanga in ways that enable consistent, accurate, and clear use of this Māori body of knowledge. The study is underpinned by a Kaupapa Māori methodology. Application of Kaupapa Māori requires honouring and privileging Māori people and knowledge and this carried an obligation to apply Māori ways of knowing and being across all areas of this study. Kaupapa Māori principles provided signposts to organise ideas, views, and experiences in a way that carried cultural integrity. The principles also provided the base for organising and theming the information gathered from the kaikōrero. All 24 kaikōrero are Māori and their experiences and knowledge spanned a range of contexts such as mātauranga Māori, education, rongoā, rangatahi, social work, and whānau. Both individual and group hui were held with the kaikōrero. Regarding the human realm, there are several key findings. Whānau and kuia are considered key knowledge holders in the human realm, and they are crucial to maintaining and sustaining kaitiakitanga practices. This study identifies human beings as ‘kaitiaki’, where traditionally kaitiaki were understood only as spiritual beings and guides, and these roles are determined by whānau, hapū, and iwi. Whakapapa and mana whenua is the precursor to being a kaitiaki or carrying kaitiakitanga roles in the human realm. When kaitiakitanga is enacted within the human realm it is not isolated or separate from the metaphysical and physical realm. Te reo, whakaaro, tikanga and mātauranga are critical to the Māori experience, expression and understanding of kaitiakitanga in the human realm. Finally, the practice of kaitiakitanga in the human realm engages all parts of the self which includes the inner being, personality, attributes, values, qualities, emotions, and feelings. This thesis extends on the three realms of kaitiakitanga and adds further layers of discussion related to tikanga and mātauranga. It contributes to the kaitiakitanga literature regarding whānau understandings, taiao, taonga tuku iho and tino rangatiratanga. The use of kaitiakitanga, by who and in what contexts are also presented. New knowledge is highlighted regarding te tuakiritanga, whānau, and kaitiaki understandings and roles. The study reaffirms that the three realms of kaitiakitanga are an inseparable part of its understanding and practice and that, when situated outside of kaupapa that is Māori, kaitiakitanga becomes divorced from its traditional understanding and its underpinning elements, and therefore loses integrity. Traditionally and in contemporary times Māori understand kaitiaki as spiritual beings and guides, this is extended on here by naming people as ‘kaitiaki’. This thesis provides a significant contribution to the human realm of kaitiakitanga or what is described by Forster (2012) as active kaitiaki and by Kawharu (1998) as social spheres. This study affirms kaitiakitanga as an environmental ethic but adds that it is underpinned by Kaupapa Māori whereby whakapapa is a pre-cursor to kaitiakitanga, and kaitiakitanga is led, defined, experienced, and practiced by Māori.
The experiences of Māori social workers in schools working alongside teachers to support tamariki : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Social Work at Massey University, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2021) Pirika, Terry Gipsy
This thesis critically engages with Māori Social Workers in Schools to develop a more in-depth understanding of their practice methods and the experiences of working alongside teachers to support tamariki. Social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand have been part of the profession’s historical commitment to assist people from within their systems and environments. Many of today's schools of social work practice are groups of professionals who align themselves with a particular position in terms of building social work knowledge, with a focus on treating children's emotional and relational struggles, which are exacerbated by a deprivation in health, finances, and education. All of which have been linked to affecting a child’s school performance. The number of children being affected continues to rise, alongside the gradual decline in resources. In all social, economic and health statistics, Māori are substantially overrepresented. For the most part, this has been primarily due to the colonial disadvantages of western models of policies and practices implemented throughout Aotearoa New Zealand education. In order to cope with this changing landscape, school social workers have needed to develop new ways of reaching out to more children across all areas of the school environment. To do so, increasingly more social work practitioners have adopted ways of practice that are informed by Māori principles and values. For example, the incorporation of school staff members and social workers in attempts to build a stronger school system, as well as act as a liaison between various organisational services, allowing for greater utilisation and collaboration of expertise that can be significant in crafting ecological change. Kaupapa Māori research concepts were used to underpin this research thesis. A qualitative method of study was employed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with research kaimahi. Six Māori social workers in schools were interviewed kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) and guided by a holistic model of practice, which allowed the voices of kaimahi to be heard, while also expressing their opinions in detail. The review of the literature shows that whakawhanaungatanga is seen by Māori social workers as significant in their mahi as it ensures the practice in a way that promotes their work with teachers, tamariki, and whānau. One key finding evident within each kaimahi practice were values and beliefs that they drew from their upbringing and lived experiences, according to their worldviews. Another key result was the concept of taking care of the 'self'; in other words, being open to receiving good whānau and mahi support, speaking about the challenges and obstacles, obtain good cultural and peer supervision, which in turn aided in the development and growth for all kaimahi involved in this study. Overall, this research highlights the importance of the SWiS role, the collaboration with schools, and the flexibility that the role offers for SWiS to implement their creative skills in the delivery of programmes.
Whānau ora navigators : valuing indigenous knowledge to promote culturally safe responsive practice that enhances the health and wellbeing of whānau, hapū and iwi : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Social Work at Massey University, Manawatū, Aotearoa, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2021) Rissetto, Cherie Roberta Petula Patricia
This research examines the Whānau Ora framework, in particular how it values and utilises indigenous knowledge to promote culturally safe and responsive practice that effectively enhances the health and wellbeing of whānau. The study conducted for this thesis highlights the various ways in which the Whānau Ora model and approach is of benefit to all New Zealanders. Particular attention is paid to the viewpoint of tane and wahine who work as Whānau Ora navigators. This research acknowledges that while Whānau Ora practices are closely linked to tradition, its policy and ways of practicing continue to evolve with new research and a growing body of literature. There have been significant changes over the past nine years in Aotearoa with the growth of Whānau Ora approach in health and social services. This approach has helped Māori services to assist whānau with their aspirations. More importantly, it reflects a whānau centred approach that is whānau led with Whānau Ora navigators guiding the process. This research utilised Kaupapa Māori theory and qualitative research to interview eight Whānau Ora navigators. All participants had at least two years’ experience working as Whānau Ora navigators with a Māori health and social service provider in the Lower North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. The researcher undertook kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) semi-structured interviews and used thematic analysis to identify key themes. The purpose of the research was to explore Whānau Ora navigator’s worldviews and practice when working with whānau Māori. This research identifies the roles and responsibilities of Whānau Ora navigators via a Kaupapa Māori approach and highlights the benefits and challenges of a Whānau Ora framework that promotes a culturally safe and responsive practice. A key finding from this research revealed the benefits for Whānau Ora navigators when utilising a Whānau Ora framework, which worked to enhance and strengthen whānau wellbeing. It is also important to note that the Whānau Ora navigator’s way of practicing ensures a whānau led process that is driven by whānau who are working towards making decisions that benefit their whole whānau. Furthermore, Whānau Ora rejects deficit models of practice, as well as notions that promote a “one size fits all’ approach. Rather, it embraces ideals that look at all areas of whānau wellbeing.
Te Ara Whānau Ora (A pathway to whānau wellbeing) : exploring the practice of Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora navigators : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa (Massey University, Manawatū), Aotearoa (New Zealand)
(Massey University, 2020) Cherrington, James Martin
This thesis is about Whānau Ora, whānau-centred practice and an aspirational strengths-based whānau-centred practice framework called Te Ara Whānau Ora (a pathway to whānau wellbeing), it explores the practice of Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators who work in the Te Tihi O Ruahine Whānau Ora Alliance.This insider research explores and illustrates the unique combination of knowledge from Te Ao Māori and Te Ao Pākehā that Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators at Te Tihi O Ruahine Whānau Ora Alliance use in their practice. It explores how this skilled workforce is able to go beyond crisis intervention and empower whānau to dream and achieve their moemoeā (dreams and aspirations).Six Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators were interviewed to find out how they define whānau-centred practice and how they use it to generate social and transformative change for the whānau they walk alongside. A qualitative research method that utilises a Māori-centred approach and is underpinned by the principles of Kaupapa Māori research was used to explore the practice of Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators.Kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) interviews were used to explore the knowledge, wisdom and experience of Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators.Thematic analysis was used to analyse the rich data generated from the interviews. A Te Ara Whānau Ora framework was then used to confirm the applicability of the themes generated by this analysis. The findings of this research indicate that Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators define whānau-centred practice as: whānau led, whānau determined, whānau controlled, promoting whānau leadership and building whānau capabilities. Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators entered their profession with the cultural capital necessary to operationalise ‘Te Korowai O Te Ao Māori’ (the protective cloak of the world of Māori). Te Ara Whānau Ora is a transformational process that focusses on the moemoeā (dreams and aspirations) of whānau, what whānau want. It is the focus on whānau moemoeā that enables Kaiwhakaaraara/Whānau Ora Navigators to work in a way that is not deficit, challenge or issue focussed. When you focus on the moemoeā of whānau the crises solve themselves and whānau achieve sustainable change.
Māori teen mothers : experiences of mentoring : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Social Work at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2020) Albert, Jasmin Marie
Parenting at any point in life is a demanding and often-difficult task, and for teen mothers these challenges are more intensified as they are simultaneously navigating adolescence. The central understandings and practices surrounding pregnancy and parenting for whānau Māori have changed substantially following the European settlement in Aotearoa New Zealand. This research has explored Māori teen mothers’ experiences of mentoring. It was conducted using the fundamentals of Youth development Strategy Aotearoa (YDSA) incorporating philosophical foundations of pūrākau, the Māori centred approached and it is underpinned by the qualitative method. This research gathered experiences and pūrākau from six Māori teen mothers in relation to their journey through pregnancy, parenting, and mentoring ending with their future goals and aspirations. A handful of key findings have been identified, that align with previously conducted studies and literature in this field, such as, the mental health issues that contribute to the challenges Māori teen mothers face, along with the continued stigma and judgment often associated with teen parenting, as well as the roles these mothers play in the community and in their whānau, what is more how they support them as teen parents and in their tamariki. The main conclusions and recommendations drawn from this study call for the necessity for increased support and research within the field of Māori teen mothers and their tamariki paying attention to provide further help and assistance for the development of teen mothers skills and the requirement for better support systems for further research into the benefits of improved mentoring services in the form of a longitudinal study, increased time and spaces to share their experiences and pūrākau, knowledge and backing about where to turn to for support in terms of service development and also to lift the stigma often associated with teen parenting.
The success stories of wāhine Māori : before, during and after social work education : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Social Work degree at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2020) Whaanga, Rehia
Wāhine Māori social workers are influential within both personal and professional realms. The success they achieve permeates not only through their whānau but extends in the ongoing work undertaken within communities, social service agencies, within academia and within their social work practice alongside service users. This research explores the success stories of six wāhine Māori social workers and their journeys in life and education before, during and following successful achievement of tertiary social work degrees. This research identifies forces which have influenced their success from both historical and contemporary contexts within Aotearoa and presents insight into how wāhine Māori achieved this success. This research employed a qualitative approach founded in Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wāhine theory in order to capture the voice and experiences of wāhine Māori. These wāhine have overcome and navigated many forces in their lives whilst achieving many successes within educational endeavours and within professional social work practice alongside whānau, hapū and iwi. This research found that wāhine Māori social workers have strong attributes of both resilience and determination. The greatest motivation of which, in all phases of their journeys was found to be children. Wāhine Māori value education that contributes to growth within themselves, is founded within their worldview. This research highlighted that wāhine Māori carry many responsibilities however it is evident that wāhine Māori measure success through reciprocal relationships and the roles they have within their whānau. A strong influence within the journey and successes of these wāhine Māori comes from within their own whakapapa. This research has been undertaken by a wāhine Māori social worker and educator. It contributes to the growing efforts of wāhine Māori within scholarship and demonstrates that wāhine Māori continue to achieve success regardless of the forces surrounding them within their lives.
Me kauhi rānei koe ki te huruhuru kākāpō : weaving a korowai that espouses the dreams and aspirations of Māori social workers’ practice, realising their mana tangata : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa (Massey University, Manawatū), Aotearoa (New Zealand)
(Massey University, 2020) Roberts, Sharyn
This thesis explored how Māori social workers were empowered to exercise their tino rangatiratanga and mana tangata, worn as a korowai in their practice. The research offered an understanding of how social workers navigated being Māori and being a social worker. Having a Māori identity can often be encumbered with cultural expectations exceeding vocational responsibilities that may or may not enhance professional and personal personas. This thesis explored the experiences of six Māori social workers in kanohi kitea hui, and considered the question: are you a Māori social worker or a social worker who is Māori? This question is at the heart of the thesis title: ‘Me kauhi rānei koe ki te huruhuru kākāpō: Weaving a korowai that espouses the dreams and aspirations of Māori social workers’ practice, realising their mana tangata’. A qualitative kaupapa Māori approach was applied throughout the thesis using a number of cultural frameworks, including whakataukī, inspirational quotes, a korowai weaving frame and a tauparapara, embedding the research process in Te Ao Māori. The metaphor of weaving a thesis korowai was an enduring theme throughout the thesis. The findings in this thesis concluded that Māori social workers are highly resilient, innovative and resourceful, and that despite the ongoing struggles of the effects of colonisation that impact their identity, practice and ideology, they are self-actualising, self-determining and realising their mana tangata. The findings demonstrated that for tino rangatiratanga to be fully realised however, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the principles outlined in Pūao-te-Ata-tū need to be honoured. This thesis concluded that an ambicultural approach to the tino rangatiratanga of indigenous Māori social workers offers a new frame for weaving a korowai fit for practice, replacing the outdated ill-fitting bicultural garment.

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