Wairuatanga and healing from sexual violence for Māori : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Albany, Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

The importance of wairuatanga (spirituality) for Māori is undeniable. Māori are wairua led (spirit), holding ancient Mātauranga (knowledge) and connection of Io Matua Kore (Creator God) and all things in creation. The process of colonisation including the Tohunga Suppression Act 1907 was devastating for Māori culture, beliefs and spiritual expression. Despite this, the importance of wairua endured, and continues to hold immense value for Māori in our contemporary realities. Wairua now is making a resurgence in rangahau (research) and hauora (health and wellbeing) practices for Māori. The aim of this qualitative Kaupapa Māori rangahau, was to identify the importance of wairua in healing from mahi tῡkino (sexual violence). Six semi structured interviews took place with Māori healers/practitioners working with mahi tῡkino kiritaki (clients). Kōrero (conversations) were analysed using thematic analysis through a Kaupapa Māori lens. The findings identified four themes covering the importance of wairua. The first unpacked the connections Māori have through ancestral Mātauranga with wairua including Io Matua Kore, mauri (vital essence), the environment/rongoā (Māori healing) and Māori culture. Secondly, the impact mahi tῡkino has on wairua including damage to identity, health, and wellbeing. The final two identified wairua as the most important aspect of healing and wholeness for kiritaki and practitioners alike. This rangahau will contribute to the growing wealth of Mātauranga regarding the importance of wairua in healing from mahi tῡkino. The main finding was that healing from mahi tῡkino is not possible without the inclusion of wairua. Through access to wairua-centred practitioners, Māori have a culturally appropriate way of finding healing. Many more wairua-centred services are needed to boost healing opportunities from mahi tῡkino. This rangahau supports additional research into the importance of wairua in healing for Māori from mahi tῡkino.