Me aro koe ki te hā o Hineahuone = pay heed to the dignity of Māori women : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Social Work degree at Massey University

Abstract

This research explored Rongoā Māori as a traditional knowledge system of healing and wellbeing as a means by which to locate culturally defined frameworks as a basis to adequately understand and respond to sexual violence in Aotearoa. Current definitions of sexual violence are located within Western frameworks that do not adequately understand the context of sexual violence for Māori and have significant implications for their subsequent healing journeys. A qualitative research approach was used to explore the understandings and experiences of seven wāhine Māori Rongoā Māori practitioners. This research also drew on aspects of wairuatanga, Kaupapa Māori, and Mana Wahine research approaches which provided a foundation for their experiences to be acknowledged, their understandings to be valued and their voices to be heard. The findings in this research demonstrated that sexual violence is an epidemic because of the magnitude and serious nature of it for Māori. It is imperative that Māori can access services that align with their Māori worldview and include tikanga based processes that can adapt and address whānau needs. This research concluded that Rongoā Māori understands the context of sexual violence for Māori and is a specialised field of Indigenous tradition and practice that heals the impacts of sexual violence and promotes holistic health and wellbeing.