Te Kaupapa
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 to the Covid 19 pandemic.
In time, mātauranga Māori will contribute to informing a kotahitanga approach to supporting Aotearoa whānui in pandemic responses – with the potential to influence national policy and support those on the frontlines who are responding on behalf of their whānau, hapū and iwi.
But before the approach is developed, Whiitiki Whakatika will reconnect with whānau, hapū and iwi to share the findings of the rangahau and its common themes. At this stage, each rōpū will have the opportunity to agree or deny their mātauranga being shared on a national platform.
Tikanga & Values
Through our mātāpono we hold firm in our values, our traditions, and our vision for oranga Māori. We are an enduring voice of tradition, ensuring that tikanga and te ao Māori are not just acknowledged, but lived. Our mātāpono include:
Mana
Mauri
Manaakitanga
Manawanui
Mahi Ngātahi
Mārire
Māramatanga
Where we are and where we are going
Whiitiki Whakatika is currently operating in the phase of Te Kore, where shortly whānau, hapū, iwi and those we have engaged with will be re-engaged to receive transcripts and kōrero on the mātauranga shared with the rangahau team.
The Rangahau
Whānau can be assured that mātauranga Māori and intellectual property remains protected where Whiitiki Whakatika upholds agreed kaitiaki responsibilities from the rangahau phase right through to development of the framework. On behalf of Tongikura and Whiitiki Whakatika, whānau, hapū and iwi as kaitiaki have the full and exclusive decision-making authority to taonga and mātauranga Māori, as guaranteed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
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.
Mātanga Policies
The purpose of this policy is to set out the tikanga upon which mātanga supporting Whiitiki Whakatika can be reciprocated for their time and expertise.
Rangatahi Rangahau Champion
In collaboration with haukāinga, Whiitiki Whakatika aims to develop the capacity of rangatahi Māori in research, data collation and data dissemination. providing a pipeline to science research in a culturally appropriate way.
Tiaki Taonga + Intellectual Property Policies
The purpose of this policy is to set out the tikanga upon which the assurance that mātauranga Māori and IP remains protected with mātanga.
Pukapuka Taonga
From Te Pū, Te Kore, Te Pō, Te Ao, and Te Awatea the journey of the tuna informs the formation of mātauranga throughout Whiitiki Whakatika. The Whiitiki Whakatika methodology is the ngako of the kaupapa and informs how the kōrero was gathered, analysed and shared.
Once the tuna is captured in the hīnaki, they are harvested (te hao). From Te Pō, taonga pukapuka emerged, shaped and guided by the Whiitiki Whakatika methodology, the pukapuka reflect the principles and processes at the heart of the rangahau.
Inside each taonga pukapuka is a puna mātauranga of rangahau gathered throughout wānanga across the mōtu. This mātauranga is a taonga, to the mātanga, hapū, and whānau where it came from. The gifting back of the taonga pukapuka to each rohe honoured the significance of the mātauranga shared throughout the wānanga.
Each pukapuka is unique and intergenerational. The kōrero contains the historical resilience of Māori in pandemics, ongoing barriers to collective hauora, and a pathway forward that acknowledges the invaluable mātauranga and capability within each rohe.
Tohu & Cover design: Tukaroto Mahuta
National Engagements Insights
Whiitiki Whakatika has travelled the motu gathering insights and mātauranga from puna whakaora that spans whānau, hapū and iwi of Aotearoa. Some of these engagements allowed for kōrero to be shared in public forums, where mātauranga and kōrero tuku iho was accessible to all.
See key insights from National Engagements to date
Rātana
Ratana and his call for unity and collective action is a prime example. The ongoing connection and collaboration between Ratana and the Kingitanga is seen as a way to improve overall oranga for their people.
Waitangi
Different iwi and hapū have unique histories and experiences with pandemics and their knowledge and practices reflects that. It is important to engage across Aotearoa New Zealand to capture this mātauranga and reflect it in policy.
Matatini
Despite the challenges, the group was determined to continue their practice sessions, recognising the vital role kapa haka played in supporting participants; well-being and their connection to Te Ao Māori and their identity, its role in preserving and teaching regionally specific histories, stories and knowledge while also striving to adapt to the health restrictions in place.
Whiitiki Whakatika Methodology
Our approach to this rangahau project is tikanga driven and mātauranga Māori led. Taking 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 sits in while on its haerenga to inform a foundation that supports future responses to kotahitanga and resilience.
TE PŪ
Te Arotake Rangahau
Defining Research Objectives and Parameters
TE KORE
Kōrero Tuku iho
Narrative Collection Across Hui, Wānanga and Uiui
TE PŌ
Tātari ā Kōrero
Analysis of Narratives Ā-rohe, Ā-takiwā
& Ā-kaupapa
TE AO
Te Whakamātau
Practical Application of Narratives in Agency
TE AWATEA
Te Whakapūmau
Pathways to Partnership for Māori
Te Niwha Summit
On 12 November, Whiitiki Whakatika attended Te Niwha Summit where they shared emerging findings and recommendations from the rangahau. Te Niwha has funded the Whiitiki Whakatika research and brings together researchers, iwi, hapori and health leaders from across Aotearoa to explore how science, mātauranga Māori and community knowledge can strengthen our national preparedness for infectious diseases. This year the summit was held at Tūrangawaewae Marae.
The presentation to Te Niwha was an opportunity to demonstrate how kōrero tuku iho gathered across 27 wānanga during the “Te Kore” phase could be used to contribute to pandemic preparedness and support future national responses to infectious diseases in Aotearoa.
Key findings:
- Whiitiki Whakatika provides a pathway not only for pandemic and infectious diseases but a blueprint for national crisis by engaging Māori knowledge systems to collaborate, adapt, and implement solutions.
- Wānanga enables collective responses to address “what works” and “what doesn’t work”.
- Mātauranga Māori and scientific knowledge systems can be woven together and embedded into the public health framework in Aotearoa to create a stronger national response.
Want to engage in this kaupapa?
Kairangahau want to ensure the interaction and engagement with whānau, hapū and iwi is respectful, intentional and conducted with care, in a way that empowers local involvement where possible.
If you are interested in connecting with the team send us an email at [email protected]
