Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a Māori led project?

Whiitiki Whakatika, the first rangahau project of its kind, is funded by Te Niwha, and led by Tongikura Ltd. A rōpū of kairangahau Māori travelling the motu, capturing kōrero of Māori knowledge systems, including tikanga, pūrākau, and kōrero tuku iho.

As the world increasingly turns to indigenous knowledge for solutions, mātauranga Māori is a puna whakaora–a healing source for those in Aotearoa seeking ways to protect whakapapa. Historically, Māori have been disproportionately affected by pandemics, epidemics and infectious diseases. But in recent times, the tikanga and mātauranga of te iwi Māori, including practices of isolation, rāhui and aukati became the blueprint for the national response in 2019. This kaupapa aims to protect whakapapa through mātauranga Māori practices.

For te iwi Māori there is a gap in the documentation of kōrero and rangahau from whānau and hapū around their traditional ways of protecting iwi during pandemics and infectious diseases. To better prepare and protect whakapapa, Whiitiki Whakatika is here to provide resources and guides informed by kōrero tuku iho.

We know that in times of crisis, Māori often face barriers accessing resources and support. This rangahau project ensures that Māori have access to knowledge drawn from their kōrero tuku iho – knowledge that can help shape responses to future pandemics.

Where consent is given, and whānau, hapū and iwi allow, this mātauranga will also contribute to, and inform an Aotearoa whānui response of kotahitanga when it comes to the context of future pandemics – ensuring that Māori voices, mātauranga and solutions are at the centre of national preparedness.

Our kaupapa is tikanga driven and mātauranga Māori led. Our approach to this rangahau project takes guidance from the phases of Te Pū, Te Kore, Te Pō, Te Ao, and Te Awatea. Each phase in the methodology represents the unique positions this rangahau project sits in while on its haerenga to inform a foundation and guide for responses to future pandemics.

Whānau can be assured that mātauranga Māori and intellectual property remains protected. Whiitiki Whakatika upholds agreed kaitiaki responsibilities from the rangahau phase right through to development of the framework. This mātauranga is safeguarded under the Tiaki Taonga and Intellectual Property policies that Whiitiki Whakatika operates by, ensuring taonga and mātauranga Māori are cared for with manaakitanga, whakaute, confidentiality and privacy.

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