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    Nga Rauru : ka maro te kaki o te Kotuku : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1992) Walsh, Michael Wehi Mailetonga
    This thesis is concerned with the development of a resource: land, so as to provide an economic base that will sustain social and cultural activities for the iwi of Nga Rauru. Chapter One of the thesis reveals the various Acts and legislations and reasons that made land a source of conflict between Maori and Pakeha during the Nineteenth century. This is the first period of land alienation. Chapter Two highlights the Acts and legislation of the Twentieth century that continued to alienate Maori from their land. Attempts to counter this land alienation are also discussed. In Chapter Three a block of Maori land, originally Crown granted in 1882, is used to show the process of fragmentation and alienation which has produced the situation today: there is still Maori land left in the block, but it is largely leased to local Pakeha farmers. The consequences of land alienation to Maori in general, and where possible Nga Rauru specifically, is discussed in Chapter Four. Economic, cultural, spiritual, social and political factors are viewed in an attempt to gauge Nga Rauru's present 'well-being'. The final chapter calls for the utlisation of Nga Rauru lands to be returned to the iwi. A scenario concentrating on forestry development is used to indicate possible costs and returns to the iwi, in economic and social terms. The chapter concludes that there is a need for Nga Rauru to establish a Development Unit to facilitate desired economic growth for the iwi.
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    Whakaoranga whānau : a whānau resilience framework : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Waiti, Jordan Te Aramoana McPherson
    This research explored the capacity of whanau (family, extended family) to overcome adversity, flourish and enjoy better health and well-being. While external factors, internal dynamics, and financial pressures often constrain capacity, whanau have nevertheless demonstrated an innate ability to respond to these challenges – to make use of limited resources, and to react in positive and innovative ways. Three key objectives were identified to help seek and understand Maori notions of whanau resilience and how they are utilised by whanau for positive growth and development. The three objectives were: 1. To identify resilience mechanisms which exist within whanau; 2. To consider the cultural underpinnings of resilience; and 3. To construct an evidenced based framework for resilient whanau. A thematic analysis detailed the components of a Whanau Resilience Framework. The framework consists of four resilience platforms: (1) Whanaungatanga (networks and relationships); (2) Pukenga (skills and abilities); (3) Tikanga (values and beliefs); and (4) Tuakiri-a-Maori (cultural identity). This thesis highlights both the synergies and dissonance between Maori and non-Maori perspectives of resilience and how cultural factors might best guide Maori and whanau development. Insofar as this framework exhibits similar resilence strategies to other populations, it is at the micro-level where there are differences between Maori and other cultures or populations.
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    The art of involvement : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1998) Bryant, Claire
    Levy (1996, 367) says, The art of involvement discovers the current of music. How do we make a symphony rise from the murmur of a multiple? How do we transfer the sound of a crowd into a chorus, without a musical score? The collective intellect continually brings the social contract into play, it keeps the group in a state of renewal. This thesis focuses on the role of the relations of production in building human capital, recognising this as a component of economic development, along with mobilising financial capital and utilising the natural resource base. Although relations of production sometimes destroy human capital, this thesis discusses examples where marginalised groups have used creolisation strategies to resist globalisation and build their human capital - first, Maori seeking to improve their position of equity within the economy and, secondly, women seeking to use the Net on their own terms. The privatising of the economy, and of the Net, symbolises the continued exclusion of marginalised groups from control, or even much influence, within the post-industrial economy of text and image flows now dominating global economics and culture-making. The risk for Maori and women is that the hunger of a global digital entertainment industry (which today includes marketing, movies, games, politics, chat lines and the news) for different and especially new information, even in the midst of what is, for the individual, infinitely abundant information, is that their stories will be absorbed but leave them with no means of exchange. The telling of different, but equally persuasive stories, is characteristic of the use of creolisation strategies that resist global cultural colonisation. In both large and small ways, the Maori and women in the case studies are using involvement in interactive performances to deny the power of the one-way monologue transmitted by elites seeking passivity, isolation and un-resisting consumption. Although we may live in a 'sea of stories' and sometimes the tide seems to bring only other people's stories it is useful to remember the power of the undercurrent to subvert surface intentions. I use hermeneutic methodology to discuss historic examples of interactive performance and, by comparing these with present day case studies, I develop the argument that such performances have always been used to build human capital. As a relation of production, interactive performance is based on mutuality and negotiation and, when people have the opportunity to practise these skills, they also increase their choices to adopt them in their daily life. By providing 'safe' environments, like flags on the beach within the marae and on the Net, interactive performances create a collective playspace that encourages people to practice and explore self determination skills, and remember the presence of the undercurrent.
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    The South Pacific Islands Resist Diabetes With Intense Training (SPIRIT) Study : investigation of obesity markers and morphological, functional and genetic changes in the skeletal muscle : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, College of Health, Massey University at Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2013) Hayat, Irum
    The skeletal muscle (SM), the major tissue for disposal of excess blood glucose, plays a big role in development of insulin resistance leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Lipid accumulation and decline in mitochondrial activity in SM has been observed in people with T2DM. Several studies have demonstrated that exercise has the ability to increase SM lipid oxidation and mitochondrial activity and hence is effective as a treatment strategy for people with T2DM for improving blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity. The SPIRIT study was the first clinical randomised exercise trial involving a cohort of Polynesian New Zealanders with T2DM. The uniqueness of this study is that it is the first clinical trial in Polynesian population with grade 3 obesity (n=18; BMI 43.8 ± 9.5 kg/m2) and T2DM. The SPIRIT cohort underwent 16 weeks of progressive resistance training (PRT) or aerobic exercise (AER) training. The cohort showed no changes in HbA1c levels after 16 weeks of exercise and hence no improvement in their blood glucose control. This was an unexpected result and led to the following hypothesis which underlines this PhD study – ?In skeletal muscle of SPIRIT cohort, metabolic adaptation to exercise is delayed due to metabolic inflexibility?. To investigate this hypothesis, mitochondrial function and morphology, lipid droplet content and changes in gene expression pre and post exercise intervention were examined in the SM. Since the SPIRIT cohort showed no changes in weight, waist circumference and BMI, examination of the concentration of specific obesity markers pre and post exercise training also occurred. Mitochondrial function was examined pre and post 16 weeks exercise intervention by measuring the SM activity of three key mitochondrial enzymes; citrate synthase (CS) involved in Krebs cycle, beta-hydrxoyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (BHAD) involved in fat oxidation and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) involved in electron transport chain. The PRT cohort showed statistically significant increases in activity for COX (P=0.005) and CS (P=0.007) with very large effect size (2.3 ± 1.3 and 1.8 ± 1.3 respectively). AER exercise led to significant increases in the activity for all three enzymes COX (P=0.01), CS (P=0.03), BHAD (P=0.03) with moderate effect size for both COX and CS activity but very large effect for BHAD (6.7 ± 1.2). For all three enzymes there were statistically significant differences (P<0.05) between the AER and PRT groups. These results demonstrate increased mitochondrial activity and functioning after 16 weeks of PRT or AER exercise.
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    Ngamotu me Kihitu nga whenua, Ngamotu me Kihitu nga turangawaewae : "Aue Te Ariki aue", kei whea ra nga tangata o te hau kainga nei? : a personal journey : where have all the people gone? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of requirement[s] for the degree of Masters of Philosophy, a major in Social Work, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2012) Webber-Dreadon, Emma Te Paea
    Enclosed to the north and west by hills, edged by the Pacific Ocean and the Wairoa Hopupu-Hongenge Matangirau River, it seemed to me as a six year old that Ngamotu, Kihitu and Wairoa were the only places that existed in the world. It was then, and will always be, the ‘centre of my Universe’. NGAMOTU TE WHENUA, NGAMOTU TE TURANGAWAEWAE "AUE TE ARIKI AUE", KEI WHEA RA NGA TANGATA O TE HAU KAINGA NEI? The purpose of this research was to explore why the whenua of Ngamotu, and additionally Kihitu, are almost deserted of her people, and why there is so little use of her agriculturally or horticulturally. The inclusion of Kihitu within this thesis is because it is a 15 acres block of land located in the centre of Ngamotu. Whatever happens to either ‘block’ must surely impact on the other in some way. The use of tikanga and kaupapa Maori as the ‘pou’ of this research is what determines the mauri (well being) of nga whenua o Ngamotu and Kihitu, and their people. These are used because they are the most appropriate techniques and tools to use to explore and ascertain the mauri (well being) of Ngamotu and Kihitu, and her people. The study is an oral and recorded history, as told by seven purposively chosen mokopuna, who willingly shared their experiences and their knowledge of Ngamotu and Kihitu. In their own words, they shared their stories about Ngamotu and Kihitu, their history, their current status, and the influences that they have had on them, and what if any, are their moemoea (dreams) for Ngamotu and Kihitu. By naming Ngamotu and Kihitu as our turangawaewae acknowledges and provides a ‘chiefly’ place for us all to stand, which contributes to the importance and the ‘mauri ora’ (wellbeing) of Ngamotu and Kihitu as a whenua, which then enables us as mana-whenua (people of the land) to determine, define and strengthen our world views about and around Ngamotu and Kihitu, which in turn reflects the concept of being Maori and being a mokopuna of Ngamotu and Kihitu.
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    From rocking the cradle to rocking the system : women, community work and social change in Aotearoa : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, Massey University
    (Massey University, 1991) Craig, Wendy
    This dissertation explores women's involvement in community work in Aotearoa. It is argued that women's significant contributions to community work have been hidden, devalued or ignored in mainstream writing and teaching. This study documents women's experiences and their perceptions of these experiences; such stories which are very seldom told. It also focusses on an explanation of social change from the perspective of women community workers. These women view community work as a site of struggle for change, through the processes of empowerment, self-determination and working collectively. Sixteen women, eight Maori and eight pakeha, participated in this study. These women have been identified as change agents and throughout their stories they constantly link their daily experiences to national, global and structural issues. All of the women have made a commitment to working towards change. This commitment has not always been been without cost to themselves and to their families. Although the changes that the women have achieved can, at times, be seen as reformist in nature, it is argued that as women's community work challenges the practices of the state, it contributes to social change processes. The approach taken is informed by my socialist feminist perspective. Issues pertaining to gender, race and, to some extent, class are considered in this thesis.. The study concludes that future theorising about community work in Aotearoa, must, of necessity show, more effectively how gender, race and class are interrelated. The differences between the Maori and pakeha women's stories indicate that gender cannot be examined in isolation from race. The existence of gender, as a category, is shaped also by other relations such as race and class. In articulating their struggles for change, the women reveal that there is much to be learned about the politics of caring. The women recognise that they have been trained to be the caregivers in society. For these women, however, caring plays an important role in the social change process. Their approach is based on an empowering model rather than a dependency one. Yet, whilst the women celebrate their own capacities related to caring, they are also concerned that men stand back from, and even devalue, this essential role which enables society to function. Thus community work is frequently conceptualised as women's work, and the women have to struggle to be recognised and paid for it. This thesis also shows that, despite the differences between the Maori and pakeha women, their relationship is generally co-operative and the potential for them to learn from one another exists. Through their collective involvement in the Aotearoa Community Workers Association the women have found ways to work towards a partnership which is based on an understanding of the rights of Maori as the indigenous people of Aotearoa. This research serves as a celebration of the women's experiences and knowledge of community work in Aotearoa. It is documented in a way that other women community workers can use to reflect on their own work. The challenge of any research and action is to not only record people's experiences, but also to use our knowledge, both written and oral, to provide an explanation of our current reality in order to , if necessary, change this reality. This dissertation, as part of a social process, has attempted to achieve this aim.
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    The South Pacific Islands Resist Diabetes With Intense Training (SPIRIT) Study : impact of progressive resistance training and aerobic training on glycaemic control in Māori and Pacific Islands people with type 2 diabetes and grade III obesity : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise and Sport Science, Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Human Health, College of Sciences, Massey University at Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2010) Sukala, William Reed
    The purpose of the South Pacific Islands Resist diabetes with Intense Training (SPIRIT) study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two conventional training modalities for improving glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and related physiological and psychological outcomes in Polynesian adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and visceral obesity. Twenty-six adults of self-identified Māori or Pacific Islands descent (20 women, 6 men; 47 ± 8 years; 116.3 ± 27.5 kg; waist circumference 124.0 ± 17.8 cm) were randomised to progressive resistance training (PRT) or aerobic training (AER), 3x/week, for 16 weeks. Nine subjects per exercise group (n = 18) completed the study and were included in per protocol analyses. Within-group ANOVAs revealed that HbA1c remained elevated in PRT and AER after 16 weeks of training (10.7 ± 2.1 to 10.6 ± 2.4%, P > 0.05; 8.9 ± 1.9 to 8.8 ± 2.1%, P > 0.05, respectively). AER resulted in significant reductions in systolic (P = 0.006) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.02), an increase in skeletal muscle GLUT4 (P = 0.02), capillary density (P = 0.05), and power output (watts) (P < 0.001), while PRT resulted in a significant increase in upper (P = 0.001) and lower body strength (P < 0.001) and a reduction in hip circumference (P = 0.05). Eight (5 AER, 3 PRT) of 18 subjects completed ≥ 75% of available training sessions. Post-hoc analysis on these eight patients revealed a significant reduction in waist circumference (P < 0.001). Despite low attendance, many SF-36 QOL domains scores and the Physical Component Summary scores significantly improved in both groups (P ≤ 0.002). The findings of this doctoral research project suggest that improvement of metabolic outcomes may be delayed or overwhelmed by a combination of low attendance and class III morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2). The improvements observed in QOL and muscle outcomes suggest that psychological and myocellular changes may precede changes in systemic metabolic outcomes. Additional research is required to investigate these hypotheses and overcome barriers to exercise adoption in Māori and Pacific Islands people with morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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    Maori family culture: a context of youth development in Counties/Manukau
    (Royal Society of New Zealand, 2007) Edwards, Shane; McCreanor, Tim; Moewaka Barnes, Helen
    This paper reports on a study designed to bring the voices of young people directly into the social science literature on environmental influences on wellbeing. We analyse accounts from young Maori about their families and the roles they play in their lives in order to focus on strengths and positive resources for the promotion of youth wellbeing. Interview data were gathered from 12 females and 15 males, aged between 12 and 25 years, resident in the Counties/Manukau region. Participants who were managing satisfactorily in their lives were purposively selected for diversity of background and circumstances. Our “lifestory” approach sought narrative accounts of both everyday experience and the highs and lows of life; data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using discursive methods. Clusters of themes relating to family environments including relationships with parents, siblings and extended kin groups emerged. Participants provided detailed and nuanced accounts of family cultures, reporting on conflict, caring, gender issues, sensitivity, discipline, levels of guidance and forms of support.
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    Towards promoting youth mental health in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Holistic "houses" of health
    (Clifford Beers Foundation, 2002-05) Anae, Melanie; Moewaka Barnes, Helen; McCreanor, Tim; Watson, Peter
    A study of the literature on mental health promotion suggests that to a far greater extent than ‘physical’ health concerns, mental health seems to be dominated by the illness focus of established clinical perspectives and practices. In Aotearoa/New Zealand this leaves little in the way of conceptual space or fiscal resources for the development of new preventative possibilities of population-oriented measures focussed on enhancing social and physical environments. Outflanking this unfortunate impasse, indigenous Maori and Samoan (Pacific) conceptual frameworks for health offer holistic theoretical foundations upon which we can work for health through positive development. This paper examines these frameworks and the youth development paradigm to draw out parameters of what might count as healthy youth development in this country.
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    Ngā kairaranga oranga = The weavers of health and wellbeing : a grounded theory study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2004) Wilson, Denise
    Ngā Kairaranga Oranga – The Weavers of Health and Wellbeing is a theory about the health and wellbeing of Māori women. Health data about Māori women indicate that their health status is less than that of the non-Māori population despite the right to experience equality in health outcomes. Māori women’s health and wellbeing influences the nature of their health outcomes, varies across their lifetime. ‘What is happening for Māori women, their health and interactions with ‘mainstream’ health services?’ is the question that guided the research with Māori women. A grounded theory informed by a Māori centred approach was developed that utilised Mason Durie’s Māori-centred concepts of mana Māori (control), whakapiki tangata (enablement) and whakatuia (integration), and integrated Glaserian grounded theory to guide the collection and analysis of the data. Twenty-three women who identified as Māori within the Te Arawa rohe, and who were between the ages of 18 and 80 years were formally interviewed as either a group, pairs or individuals, with a further 15 informally interviewed during the process of theoretical sampling. Semi-structured interviews and field notes were used to collect the data, and the processes of constant comparative analysis, theoretical sampling and saturation were used to generate a middle-range substantive Māori centred grounded theory. Three core categories were identified relating to the health and wellbeing of Māori women: (a) Mana Māori, which describes what is important for their health and wellbeing; (b) The Way It Is, which outlines the resigned acceptance they have of their reality and life circumstances, and the barriers and challenges that are encountered; and (c) Engaging with Health Services, which describes what they require from ‘mainstream’ health services to improve the access and use of these services. The basic social psychological process of ‘weaving health and wellbeing’ integrates these core categories. The interpretations Māori women have of health and wellbeing, and health-related actions are explained by the theory generated. This substantive grounded theory provides a model to guide the education and practice of health care providers working within ‘mainstream’ health services.