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Item Māori women's perspectives of raising a loved one who has autism (Takiwātanga) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, Manawatū, Aotearoa New Zealand(Massey University, 2025-02-17) Hastie, Jeanette LouiseThis thesis presents research that explored the understandings, worldviews, and approaches of eight Māori māmā (mothers) with children (tamariki) or adolescents (rangatahi) who have been diagnosed with autism (takiwātanga) in Aotearoa New Zealand. An interpretivist qualitative research design was utilised that combined methods from Western methodologies and Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine theory and research. The methodology was transformative (whakaahua) in nature, as the concepts behind the Western methodological tools were transformed into the concepts of te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) through the application of Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine theory. Eight Māori māmā attended one of four small focus groups consisting of two māmā and the researcher, during which they were encouraged to create an artwork while telling their lived experience of takiwātanga through pūrākau (narratives). Over approximately four hours, the māmā were asked to describe how they navigated the New Zealand education and health systems, and their home and community, with their tamariki and rangatahi with takiwātanga. The pūrākau revealed that the māmā had brought about a transformation of their own by resisting the Western deficit-based model of autism and drawing on their cultural understanding of takiwātanga to change their negative Western-based experiences into positive Indigenous-based ones. This led to the development of a model inspired by the taiaha, a Māori weapon of war, that demonstrates how a deficit-based Western ideology about autism can be transformed into a strengths-based Indigenous ideology about takiwātanga, from both the researcher’s perspective and that of the participants. The findings also identified strong connections between the māmā and those professionals and others who supported them, whom they called “game changers”. Professionals who were not supportive were circumnavigated or dismissed as the māmā held onto their own expertise and developed their own knowledge about takiwātanga. The te ao Māori concepts of whakawhanaungatanga (relationship building), manaakitanga (showing respect, generosity and care for others) and tuakana-teina (the relationship between an older [tuakana] person and a younger [teina] person) were woven throughout the pūrākau, which the māmā drew on to strengthen their mana wahine (power as women) and mātauranga wahine (female knowledge). The thesis concludes that cultural competence for registered professionals in education and health should include formal assessments of their knowledge of te ao Māori concepts such as manaakitanga, whakawhanaungatanga, and tuakana-teina in relation to takiwātanga.Item Breaking the cycle : wāhine Māori and whānau narratives of abstinence-based recovery from substance use disorders : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2024) Kemp, LenaAddiction is a pressing and increasingly visible concern in Aotearoa. For Māori as Indigenous people, addiction can be understood within the context of colonialism, historical oppression and intergenerational trauma. The lack of representation of Māori women and whānau-centred models of care in the addiction recovery space extends its shadow into academia, as historically women have been studied from male perspectives within individualistic paradigms. My research aim was to gain insights into the experiences of Mana Wāhine in abstinence-based recovery from substance use disorders, as well as exploring and celebrating whānau perspectives across these journeys. To gain a deeper understanding of diverse recovery journeys, pūrākau methodologies including qualitative interviews were used to explore the lived experiences of four wāhine and seven whānau members. Māori cultural concepts such as caring (manaakitanga), leadership (rangatiratanga), unity (kotahitanga), history and place provide a basis for interpreting these stories. In presenting these interpretations, I have drawn on an analogy of a river and associated whakatauāki as a structuring devise throughout to illustrate the synthesis of of theories and recovery pūrākau rivers of lived-experience. The key findings that emerged from my analysis included: addiction as understood through whakapapa; habiti and spaces of care are significant in sustaining recovery within whānau; narrative re storying and re-parenting supports healing whakapapa trauma; and genuine re-connection to culture can be established through recovery. This thesis demonstrates whānau innovation in breaking their own lived cycles of addiction. A cycle that has been portrayed in this study is that adverse childhood experiences lay the foundation of future addiction and that parenting without substances forces a person to confront their own childhood, which then compounds recovery efforts, as the emotions that are being confronted are the genesis of their dependency on substances. Understanding how whānau live their lives will not prevent people from drifting into addictive ways of being. It can however support researchers, service providers and policy makers to re-conceptualise and interpret how sustained recovery can be achieved within whānau systems and environments beyond the institution.Item Tikanga framework for improving Māori mental health and well-being : localised development and application : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology (Health Psychology endorsement), Massey University, New Zealand(Massey University, 2023) Smyth, Kimberley Grace Te RangiMany mental health approaches used in Aotearoa, New Zealand are predominately Global North top-down approaches and do not adhere to Te Tiriti o Waitangi because they do not have substantive consultation and collaboration with Māori. Top-down approaches risk perpetuating culturally unsafe practices that do not achieve improved mental health outcomes for Māori clients. Community-based approaches that collaborate with Māori, empower them to build upon their own cultural strengths to benefit their mental health and well-being. This master’s thesis explores what a tikanga-informed, culturally safe framework for mental health could look like from a localised perspective. There were two research aims. The first aim was to identify tikanga-informed values for improving mental health and well-being for Māori specific to Bream Bay. The second aim was to develop a localised tikanga-informed framework for improving Māori mental health and well-being, which can be used by the Bream Bay Community Support Trust (BBCST) to provide culturally safe support for their clients. This study is based on Kaupapa Māori theory and utilises a Kaupapa Māori research qualitative approach via semi-structured interviews and hui. Thirteen participants were interviewed. They were experts in mātauranga Māori, tikanga Māori, and mental health or education. The study identified five tikanga-informed values that could contribute to improving the mental health and well-being of Māori in Bream Bay. These values were foundational in developing a strengths-based mental health and well-being framework, Māwhaiwhai Kaupapa. Notably, this project demonstrates how localised tikanga-based approaches can be developed collaboratively for the benefit of a community. This study contributes to new knowledge by joining the small pool of bottom-up Indigenous studies for mental health and well-being. This research is further significant because this knowledge can provide a template for other Māori health providers as a basis for developing their own tikanga models of health.Item Whānau Māori and their experiences of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder : implications for clinical practice : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand(Massey University, 2023-06-30) Tipene, Charlene MereanaHealth care in New Zealand (NZ) is based on the ideal of universal health coverage for all. However, for many Māori health inequities exist in health outcomes and in access to services which adequately meet the needs of whānau Māori. Researchers have considered explanations (and solutions) for this situation, including whether health services are able to meet the cultural needs of Māori clients through a more holistic approach. Rather than considering this generally for all services, this research considers this specifically in relation to Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Alongside core symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, for there to be a diagnosis of ADHD there must be associated functional impairment and diffuse impact of behavioural symptoms in multiple domains of a person’s life. This means that ADHD is well suited to the application of holistic understandings of wellbeing, such as those that exist in mātauranga Māori. A lack of research about ADHD among Māori highlights a need for research which explores the experiences of tamariki Māori and their whānau as they navigate ADHD diagnosis and treatment. This research used a Māori-centred framework and throughout, was guided by He Awa Whiria (Gillon & Macfarlane, 2017) which emphasises the importance of drawing together cultural and clinical knowledge. There were three main objectives: to understand the experiences of whānau Māori with a child assessed and treated for ADHD; to describe how whānau understood and accommodated ADHD behaviours before diagnosis; and to identify any barriers or facilitators for whānau Māori in accessing assessment and/or treatment. Semi-structured interviews took place with 10 whānau members, representing 13 young people who had been diagnosed with ADHD. The interview responses were analysed using (codebook) thematic analysis. The main findings revealed firstly that there were different levels of knowledge about ADHD among caregivers and some whānau struggled to know where to begin, to get support; secondly, it was difficult to access the service, and there was a lack of ongoing support available other than medication; and thirdly, while in all cases medication was offered as treatment, whānau found this a difficult decision to make for their child, preferring a more holistic approach. Most whānau were not asked about their cultural background or beliefs during assessment and half of the participants would have accessed a kaupapa Māori service if available. The implications of the findings for clinical practice are discussed with recommendations for how to blend cultural and clinical knowledge to ultimately benefit whānau Māori and achieve the best possible outcomes.Item Ko wai, ko wairua : narratives of wairua and wellbeing : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2022) Brittain, EleanorWairua is a fundamental, boundless, and connective aspect of Māori ways of being and the significance of wairua to wellbeing is reiterated in foundational models of health. The research sought to understand Māori narratives and meaning-making of wairua pertaining to experiences of mental distress, healing, and recovery. This entailed developing a Kaupapa Māori narrative approach, to embed the research within Māori worldviews, to draw from mātauranga, and to amplify the relevance and meaningfulness of the research processes and outcomes. Kaupapa Māori theory was the interpretive framework, determining and shaping the research foundations, narrative inquiry informed the methodology, and the research processes mirrored Māori rituals and ways of engaging. Recruitment occurred through Māori networks and used a snowball approach. Twelve Māori adults, who at some time experienced mental distress or accessed mental health services, took part in one-on-one interviews. Narrative interpretations were undertaken at an individual level and as a collection of narratives. The overarching narrative interpretation is laid out in three components, arranged around salient and meaningful metaphors. Firstly, ‘Te pō, te ao mārama’, darkness and light, emerged from the narratives as a metaphor for experiences and temporal phases. Secondly, ‘Aro atu, aro mai’ figuratively conveys a continuum of distance and closeness; it is used to illustrate and represent the qualities of the relationship with wairua. Thirdly, ‘Ko wai, nā wai’ draws on the recurrent narrative imagery of water, as a metaphor for the contextual nature of identity, focusing on the significance of Māori identity and relationships with others. Narratives of wairua entailed a retelling of experiences as Māori. Distress and despair were inevitably experiences of wairua and characteristic to healing and recovery was enriching wairua. Moreover, healing and recovery were inherently relational and enhanced through connections with whānau and collectives.Item Performing pūrākau : liberating bodies, healing wairua, and reclaiming ancestral wisdom : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2021) Pearse-Otene, HelenStudies by government agencies and advocacy groups report that Māori women and children are more vulnerable to experiencing family violence, sexual abuse, and incest than Pākehā. They acknowledge colonisation and historical trauma as contributing factors, and call for a systems-focused response to tackling sexual violence. This includes providing access to contextually responsive and culturally appropriate interventions. This study initially aimed to explore traditional Māori understandings of incest and healing from sexual trauma that are embedded in the pūrākau (ancestral story) of Hinetītama/Hinenui Te Pō, and her parents, Hineahuone and Tānemahuta. As it would apply a unique Māori theatre pedagogy called Theatre Marae, the project was then expanded to investigate the utility and potential of this innovative approach, which draws together Māori and non-Māori performance traditions, therapeutic models, Māori language, and customs in a process for creative inquiry. In pursuing these two activities, the resulting thesis comprises three publications. In the first article (chapter 2), I unpack the conceptual framework of Theatre Marae pedagogy as a suitable approach for kaupapa Māori (by Māori, for Māori) arts-based research against the backdrop of growing scholarship in Indigenous research and psychologies. In the second article (chapter 3), I deepen this exploration into Theatre Marae and its core methods within an historical account of the theatre company most associated with the practice, Te Rākau. The third article (chapter 4) builds on the preceding chapters by returning to the initial focus of this study and describing how Theatre Marae was applied in a performance-based analysis of this ancient pūrākau as a narrative of survival and healing. The analysis revealed new themes that highlight the collectivist customs of traditional Māori society as protective factors against the proliferation of sexual violence and incest. When drawn together in this thesis, these articles and contextualising discussion illustrate how Māori ancestral knowledge can inform the development of more culturally responsive therapies for recovery from historic sexual trauma. Furthermore, in presenting Theatre Marae to the realm of kaupapa Māori research, this thesis contributes to an international agenda to decolonise research in ways that are emancipatory, healing, and transformative for Indigenous communities.Item The whānau experience of suicide loss : what contributes to resilience and wellbeing? : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Albany, Aotearoa New Zealand(Massey University, 2021) McAllister, AmberThe aim of this research was to explore and understand Māori whānau experiences of suicide loss and factors that increase resilience and wellbeing within this context. Māori have the highest suicide rates in New Zealand, yet there is limited literature that focuses exclusively on Māori whānau bereaved to suicide. Furthermore, there is limited literature that views Māori suicide bereavement through a family/whānau resilience lens. The present study took a Kaupapa Māori approach that validated Māori knowledge and tikanga and was cognisant of social structures and power imbalances that surround whānau. Six whānau bereaved by suicide were interviewed, as well as five Māori key informants who have extensive experience working with whānau in their various roles within community mental health, mental health services, and suicide prevention. Findings pointed to the ripple effect that a suicide has on a whānau and its members over the long term and intergenerationally. This is hindered by the stigma that is still evident in the dominant society and within Māori culture that creates a barrier to resilience and wellbeing. Resilience was enacted within whānau units, through wairuatanga, and connection to Te Ao Māori and mātauranga Māori. The current formal support available did not adequately support whānau resilience and wellbeing. The findings have implications at a societal level and for therapists or services engaged in supporting suicide bereaved whānau.Item Mana mokopuna : the ongoing violations of Oranga Tamariki : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2020) Tatana, Lee-AnneMokopuna Māori are over-represented within the New Zealand government's child protection service, Oranga Tamariki. The research question being investigated is, "What happens to whānau Māori while under investigation by Oranga Tamariki?" The first aim is to explore the experiences of whānau Māori who have been under investigation by Oranga Tamariki. The second aim is to produce evidence for whānau-hapū-iwi to determine solutions that mitigates the impact of Oranga Tamariki on whānau Māori. Using a Kaupapa Māori approach, analysing data using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Thematic Analysis, interviews with eight whānau Māori who had experienced being under investigation by Oranga Tamariki were completed. Four main themes emerged from the data; mamae, whakapapa, kāwanatanga and te Ao o Nehe. The findings include institutional racism, systemic collusion, culturally incompetent kaimahi, the system rewriting whakapapa, unmonitored practices and processes that perpetuates the continued failing of mokopuna Māori by Oranga Tamariki. Recommendations are focussed on the affected whānau and mokopuna, the wider whānau-hapū-iwi, Oranga Tamariki, Social Workers and Psychologists, and government legislation and policy. Broadly, those recommendations include apologies, healing, wānanga, Māori led solutions as well as a co-design of a structure fit for purpose with whānau.Item Getting insight into the wellbeing needs of Māori youth : perspectives of students attending alternative education : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2020) Haerewa, Madeleine AmyThis research seeks to explore the wellbeing needs of rangatahi Māori (Māori youth) who attend alternative education (AE) in New Zealand (NZ). Rangatahi Māori have a significant disadvantage compared to non-Māori due to disparities in educational attainment and mental health standing. Rangatahi Māori who attend AE are at an even greater disadvantage as they have been excluded from mainstream education, and in attending AE, are identified as a population of youth displaying the highest proportion of health-risk behaviours in NZ. This research produces evidence that holistic approaches to wellbeing are needed to improve outcomes for rangatahi Māori. The study develops a methodological framework for a Māori-centred research praxis, using pūrākau as a form of narrative inquiry and photo-elicitation as an ancillary tool in facilitating rangatahi Māori voices. Both rangatahi Māori and their AE tutor’s perspectives are collected through kanohi-ki-te-kanohi (face-to-face interviews) and focus groups. Key findings identify a range of wellbeing needs for rangatahi Māori, in their whānau (family), school and personal life, after they have navigated mainstream education and are placed within AE environments. Findings demonstrate the importance of rangatahi Māori feeling connected in their relationships and with their environment. This includes relationships with their whānau, tutors, romantic relationships, friendships and connection to their school environment. Rangatahi Māori need to have positive connections with the people in their life and their environment to best support their wellbeing. Findings indicate that whānau-like environments within AE promote school engagement. Furthermore, rangatahi Māori are advantaged when their connections and networks in the greater community are facilitated through their whānau-like relationships within AE. This thesis contributes new knowledge about the wellbeing needs of rangatahi Māori and concludes that a wider pūnaha hauropi (socio-ecological system) approach should be considered to optimise the wellbeing of rangatahi Māori who have or are at risk of experiencing school disenfranchisement.Item Mā tō tātou whanaungatanga e whakataki i te ritenga tika : Māori mental health service engagement : a narrative woven by tāngata whaiora, whānau members, and Māori kaimahi : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2020) Backhouse-Smith, Amelia JadeUplifting Māori mental wellbeing is a priority in Aotearoa with major national studies revealing Māori experience persistent and growing disparities in mental health outcomes. Notably, the mental health sector lacks explanations for the significant finding that Māori seek less help from mental health services despite the prevalence of psychological problems. Following a Kaupapa Māori Research approach, this research sought to understand why service engagement was incommensurate with mental wellbeing needs among pakeke Māori and offer recommendations for how mental health practice could evolve to address this outcome. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with five tāngata whaiora, three whānau members, and four Māori kaimahi. The perspectives of these three rōpū were privileged as they reflected those with lived experience of engaging with, or carrying out mahi in, mental health services. Interview kōrero was analysed and developed into themes using thematic analysis. The collective perspectives of tāngata whaiora, whānau members, and Māori kaimahi were integrated within a narrative about how mental health care experiences influenced Māori service engagement. Findings spoke to the importance of practicing within Te Ao Māori which involved upholding tikanga and mātauranga Māori, acknowledging cultural identity, facilitating reconnection with Māoritanga, and being whānau-centred in mental health care; developing genuine and meaningful relationships with tāngata whaiora and whānau; encouraging openness, support, and literacy around mental wellbeing; empowering Māori voices in assessment and intervention; and appropriate mental health sector resourcing. This research can help the mental health sector begin to understand why Māori seek less help from services and provide culturally and clinically responsive solutions for how mental health practice can support and improve service engagement to uplift Māori mental wellbeing.