Whakahikita te taitamariki, whakahikita te whānau: The relational vitality of Māori youth in familial contexts

Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), have been impacted by colonisation, which sought to sever relationships to land, place, and people, and saw the denial and dismissal of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and te ao Māori (The Māori world (view)). Given this social and historical context, taitamariki (Māori youth) currently experience disproportionately lower general wellbeing and poorer health outcomes than youth of other ethnicities. This study forms part of a broader kaupapa Māori (Māori-led) research project that speaks into this space, exploring the ways whānau (extended family) utilise whanaungatanga (whānau practices and relationships that foster belonging) and how this contributes to diverse forms of taitamariki vitality. Here, I present the analyses from 12 photo-elicitation interviews with taitamariki and their whānau (extended families) from Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Aotearoa. Drawing upon participants’ visual and linguistic narratives, I discuss the relational contexts and relationships that constitute my analysis. This includes the relationships within whakapapa whānau (family with genealogical connections), kaupapa whānau (family connected by a common purpose), and beyond. Signalled within whānau relationships were the importance of uara (relational values), tikanga (value-based practices) and mātauranga (knowledge) in contributing to and vitalising whānau manawanuitanga (whānau heartbeat). In broadening conceptualisations of whanaungatanga, other relationships highlighted by taitamariki included their connection to te taiao (the natural world), where they often held positions, connections and knowledge of the natural world pertinent to the continued nurturance of their whānau. Other relational environments included the sociocultural contexts for which they were situated, where through different expressions, such as cultural practices, they affirmed their identity and asserted their tino rangatiratanga (self-determination). In further considering relationships, I also describe the relationship taitamariki have with themselves and how they conceive of their future potential, where they were seen to cultivate their talent and relational agency through the support and resources provided in their relationships. This study emphasises the vivacity and relevance of mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori in our contemporary world to develop solutions that ameliorate challenges facing our taitamariki. I hold steadfast to the possibility that the issues and harms of colonisation need not define us and that harnessing hopeful and positive futures for the next generation is a resolute and achievable outcome.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Clinical Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

ResearchSpace@Auckland

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Tane, Sierra

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Le Grice, Jade
• Gibson, Kerry

Statement dc:rights

• Items in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Licence dc:rights.uri

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

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2292/67498

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchspace.auckland.ac.nz:2292/67498