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    Purposeful conception : customary traditions and contemporary applications of Te Whare Tangata in the creation of wellbeing : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Master of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Smith, Raewyn
    Māori continue to feature significantly in New Zealand statistics for mental health. Customary traditions and contemporary applications of te whare tangata in creating wellbeing discusses the ways in which te whare tangata traditions were engaged to protect and nurture Māori women in their role as the architects of future generations and further ensure positive wellbeing. Framed inside qualitative research methods and guided by kaupapa Māori research theories provided a tikanga framework, thereby maintaining cultural responsiveness to the research using Mana wāhine theories and providing a safe space to discuss the historic struggle Māori women have endured as a result of colonisation. Six Māori women of kuia status from Te Taitokerau participated in semi-structured interviews, discussing their observations, experience and active roles of te whare tangata across their life span. Kuia narratives are organised into the three stages of creation - Te Kore, Te Pō and Te Ao Mārama - with each stage representing a significant developmental period in te whare tangata. The customary traditions of te whare tangata have their origins in Māori cosmology which provided Māori with the blueprint to survive in volatile environments, none more volatile than the migration of western cultures and colonisation, which took Māori to the brink of extinction. However, Kuia Participants share stories of resistance and resilience in their own journeys through life and of how the customary traditions of te whare tangata have been transformed and remain relevant. Kuia narratives consistently reflect upon relationship building and maintenance being at the core of Māori wellbeing. They spoke about relationships not only being across human cultures, but the ability to develop relationships with all that surround us.
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    What really does it have to do with osteopathy anyway? : New Zealand osteopath practitioners talk about rural Māori health : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Health Science in Māori mental health at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Awatere, Sharon Aroha
    This thesis reports findings from a qualitative research project, investigating how New Zealand osteopath practitioners talk about rural Māori health. The primary research question asked, How can osteopath practitioners contribute to rural Māori well-being (with a specific focus on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of osteopath practitioners practicing in New Zealand)? Secondary aims were to ascertain the sources of information used and accessibility of osteopathy health care, the prevalence of musculo-skeletal disorders among rural Māori, as well as identifying the tensions and factors associated with rural osteopathy practice. The data was collected from semi-structured interviews with eight osteopath practitioners working in Hawke’s Bay on the topic of rural Māori health, and subjected to detailed qualitative narrative analysis. This analysis identified critical patterning of particular topics, revealed by practitioners in their interviews, bringing to light themes. The research findings showed that osteopath practitioners viewed engagement and effective relationship building as vital to their clinical practice with rural Māori. They also exhibited a willingness to acknowledge culture and recognise the Treaty of Waitangi in their daily practice, but often sought clarity on how this could be achieved. The potential for collaboration between Māori health perspectives and the osteopathy scientific tradition was high as they were shown to share a number of philosophical positions.
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    Hei aha nga whakaaro o Ngati Ruanui mo te Whanau Ora? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy (Nursing) at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2012) Campbell-Knowles, Te Moana
    In Aotearoa New Zealand poorer health outcomes for Māori have been well documented. There is growing evidence that limited contact between whānau members has a potential negative impact on the health and wellbeing within the whānau. The term Whānau Ora has been widely used and variously defined by Māori over many years however there is no single shared definition of Whānau Ora, and little understanding about how it can be implemented by Māori health providers as a service delivery framework. This research expands on existing knowledge of Whānau Ora by identifying definitions, gathering data about Whānau Ora values and concepts, cultural beliefs and practices. This research is informed by the worldview of healthcare for Māori. A number of hui (meetings) were held where Ngāti Ruanui iwi members were consulted and ten Ngāti Ruanui participants were interviewed. These participants identified meanings of Whānau Ora that included ‘being Māori’ and who they are (whakapapa) and how this translates to ‘how they live’ (Matauranga Māori), ‘self-definition’ (tino-rangatiranga) and how Whānau Ora is the ‘way forward’ to address past and present issues such as colonisation and inequalities. This research employed a Māori-centred qualitative methodology which allowed Māori and Western belief systems their own integrity whilst working side by side, utilizing the energy of the two systems. Localising the research to Ngāti Ruanui Iwi members was intentional, to understand what members considered important. As the integrity of the participants was a central concern in the research, a methodology was adopted that was respectful and valued the participant’s worldview. Participants regarded Whānau Ora as a mechanism to assist whānau to “move on”, and advance as Māori. Whānau Ora was also regarded as an important future model of health that has the potential ‘do away’ with disparities and assist Māori in their efforts to strive for good health. The research concluded that Māori health outcomes will be much improved when they are delivered in ways that meet the cultural needs of Māori. The roles and responsibilities of the Crown must ensure that these changes develop and are done in collaboration with Māori organisations themselves which will ensure that any changes reflect the philosophies of Whānau Ora: optimal wellbeing.
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    Te puawaitanga o te ihi me te wehi : the politics of Maori social policy development : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a Doctorate in Philosophy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Ruwhiu, Leland Ariel
    As an area of inquiry Maori social policy gives rise to several critical viewpoints - Social policy directed 'at, to, on or with Maori' in comparison to Maori social policy formulated, developed and implemented 'by Maori for Maori'. This thesis provides both an in-depth historical and contemporary analysis of the development of Maori social policy in contact times with Pakeha/Tauiwi. At the same time it also investigates the interrelationship between traditional and recent Maori interpretations of Maori wellbeing. Exploration into the politics of Maori social policy development coincides with and is intricately connected to, an analysis of Maori wellbeing. Maori social policy which is centred on Maori conceptual/theoretical knowledge, wisdom, and experience is examined and critiqued. A key feature of this thesis has been its introduction of several theoretical frameworks in order to make sense of Maori wellbeing. These analysis frameworks assist in identifying the key characteristics, underpinning principles and specific goals of Maori social policy. In addition, issues associated with researching Maori are explored. This includes an overview of general research principles, approaches and methodologies. Identification of key principles, approaches and methodologies underpinning Maori research is then presented. The thesis concludes with a framework for developing Maori social policy which meets the welfare needs of all Maori. It argues that Maori social policy is about Maori wellbeing, and Maori wellbeing draws strength from the past, present and future - Te Puawaitanga o te ihi me te wehi.
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    Kia Ngāwari ki te Awatea : the relationship between wairua and Maori well-being : a psychological perspective : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2009) Valentine, Hukarere
    Western health professions have historically struggled with the notion that spirituality could be studied empirically. This trend has changed in recent decades with there being a marked increase in the health literature pertaining to spirituality. For indigenous people spirituality is a fundamental attribute of their worldviews. Mäori, as the Indigenous people of Aotearoa, have always acknowledged the importance of wairua, (spirituality as defined by Mäori worldviews) to their health and well-being. This thesis aims to explore wairua as an important aspect of Mäori well-being from a psychological perspective. Two research goals underpin this thesis. The first goal involved developing an understanding of what Mäori mean when they talk about wairua. This was achieved through a qualitative study. While there are implicit shared understandings among Mäori regarding the nature of wairua, this study was one of the first attempts to make some of those shared understandings more explicit. The second goal involved investigating the relationship between an orientation to wairua and Mäori well-being using a newly developed measure. This was a quantitative study. Conceptualisations of wairua fell into four themes; direct descriptions, personal experiences, personal beliefs and Mäori worldviews. According to the qualitative information, wairua was described as a fundamental attribute that enables Mäori to engage with their reality; an intuitive consciousness. Through wairua Mäori identity is expressed, relationships are forged, balance is maintained, restrictions and safety are adhered to, healing is transmitted, and the connection between te ao wairua and te ao Mäori are maintained. These aspects of Mäori reality are inclusive and interconnected. The qualitative study information led to the formation of a 30 item self report measure named the Kia Ngawari ki te Awatea Orientation to Wairua measure. This measure was used to investigate the relationship between an orientation to wairua and Mäori health and well-being. The results showed that orientations to wairua had relatively modest associations with wellbeing when conceptualised and measured in a variety of ways. Due to the variability in the results, support for the overarching hypothesis of a relationship between wairua and well-being was mixed. A number of limitations were acknowledged with recommendations for future research offered. The findings of these studies have a number of implications for clinical psychological practice with Mäori clients.