'Tu ga na inima ka luvu na waqa' : (The bail to get water out of the boat is in the boat yet the boat sinks) : the cultural constructs of health and wellbeing amongst Marama iTaukei in a Fijian village in Lau and in a transnational Fijian community in Whanganui, Aotearoa : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Policy at Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa
Loading...
Date
2015
DOI
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Massey University
Rights
The Author
Abstract
The study identified that there are a number of criteria that have to be met in order
for Marama iTaukei or Indigenous Fijian woman to be perceived as healthy. Findings
suggest that current health frameworks need to take into account the determinants
of health that are informed by cultural constructs that emerged as key findings in
this study including: Dau veiqaravi or being of service, Taucoko ni qaravi itavi or
completion and completeness of tasks, Na veiwekani or maintaining harmony in
relationships and Kena I rairai outward reflection or physical appearance and Bula
vakayalo or Sprituality. Exploring the intricate and delicate weaving of Fijian
epistemologies and Western philosophies as illustrated through the Tanoa Health
Belief Framework emerging from the findings in this thesis, may ideally be the future
to improving health and wellbeing for, Marama iTaukei. The Tanoa Health Belief
Framework has been developed to assist health and community workers to assess the
determinants of health and wellbeing amongst Fijian women. This was a qualitative
study with a total of 23 participants conducted in two geographical locations, one in
Fiji and one in Aotearoa. The study was not a comparative study however; the study
in Fiji enabled an exploration of how perceptions and experiences of health and
wellbeing have evolved as Fijian women have migrated to Aotearoa. Ethnography
was used as the overarching methodology as well as the Vanua methodology.
Methods used included talanoa, participant observation and photovoice. In terms of
methodology, a Tali magimagi Framework pulled together the strands of what
constitutes this thesis. This includes the process of ‘cultural discernment’ emerging
from the ethics process encountered in this research. The concept of ‘culturally
embedded agency’ is also presented in this thesis arguing that there needs to be an
agency-oriented approach to women’s agenda. Culturally embedded agency calls for
social policy that incorporates full participation of women in society, inclusive of
indigeneity goals, cultural wellbeing and fairness. Implications of this study and
recommendations are based on ensuring that health and wellbeing is achieved for
the Marama iTaukei.
Description
Keywords
Women, Fijians, Health and hygiene, Lau Province, Fiji, Whangarei, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Marama iTaukei