Resting our bodies upon Papatūānuku: An exploration of how community dance may foster connections to whenua for rangatahi

This research explores ways in which community dance practice and place-based pedagogy may weave with Kaupapa Māori concepts to nurture connections to whenua and whakapapa for rangatahi. The main research question driving this study is: How might a community dance initiative foster understandings and connections to whenua for young people living in Whanganui, Aotearoa? The methodological approach employed for this study is embedded in Kaupapa Māori theory, in particular the notion of whakawhanaungatanga. Through a three-week wānanga process a collective of rangatahi explored the research question posed through various workshops, exploration of places, and creative practices. These experiences led to the creation of a dance work which was performed locally for whānau and the wider community. The research collective then engaged in interviews as conversation and shared pūrākau through a hui to unpack the process and journey experienced. From this hui, three themes emerged: the transformational process of physically connecting to whenua, the collective development of a culturally responsive pedagogy, and a critical creative process of generating movement that is responsive to the environment and culturally relevant. This research reimagines ways community dance practice, place-based pedagogy, and Kaupapa Māori philosophies may meet to provide rangatahi with opportunities to explore connections to whenua. This study allows reconsideration of strategies to engage rangatahi in their cultural heritage and provides intersections between movement, education, culture, and place.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Dance Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

ResearchSpace@Auckland

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Hiroti, Pauline

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Buck, R
• Martin, R

Statement dc:rights

• Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htm

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2292/50064

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchspace.auckland.ac.nz:2292/50064