Tāngata Tōnui, Tāngata Mauri Ora

Renee Iritana Smith (Renee Iritana Smith), Massey University

My project “Tāngata Tōnui, Tāngata Mauri Ora” aligns with the research theme of ‘Mauri Ora’ as it specifically is aimed at investigating commonalities shared between flourishing, successful Māori individuals and communities. This will be done utilizing a kaupapa Māori methodology which therefore allows for a cultural specific way of investigating the construct of ‘flourishing’ in a way which has not been done before. 

This project also focuses on a positivistic approach, turning away from deficit theorizing, with the inclusion of age group analysis (kaumatua, pakeke, rangatahi), as well as inter-iwi analysis (Tainui, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou) highlighting the commitment the research has to strengthening iwi communities, and providing findings relevant to all age groups to enable Māori who are currently in the margins to create a transformative change into a state of Mauri Ora. 

Incorporated in the in-depth interviews will be key challenges participants have faced, and coping strategies they have employed across their life-span which are expected to include educational, cultural, and historical themes, therefore aligning to the expectations under the ‘Mauri Ora’ research theme. 

Another way in which this research aligns to this theme is by specifically focusing on Ngāti Porou and Ngāpuhi tāngata and whānau, as statistically these iwi are most at risk of inter-generational transfer of social inequalities. By focusing on these iwi it therefore allows for iwi specific courses of action to develop, providing whānau with the tools to overcome these challenges, and create a change to bring them toward a state of Mauri Ora. 

As the lead researcher, I have already established networks with individuals and specific bodies within the iwi communities that I wish to incorporate in this study, something which is required within this theme to ensure that research produced is meaningful, engaging, mutually beneficial, and transformative.