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Boost for Te Hoe Nuku Roa project
The unique and inspirational Te Hoe Nuku Roa project has started its
11th year with fresh funding and an extended research programme.
A longitudinal project within Te Pütahi-ä-Toi, the School of
Mäori Studies, Te Hoe Nuku Roa, is a 25-year study of Mäori
households. The overall aim is to produce a sound empirical base that
will provide information for Mäori and other planners, and facilitate
the development of policies and programmes appropriate to Mäori in
cultural, social and economic terms.
Programme manager El------------jon Fitzgerald says recent funding from
the Public Good Science Fund has extended the project’s reach into
Northland and Southland and results in a greater comprehension and representation
of the Mäori population. The two regions are in addition to an original
focus in Manawatu/Wanganui, Gisborne/East Coast, Wellington and Auckland.
“We aim to examine the changes that have occurred over time, providing
an opportunity to chart a natural history of Mäori families and households
and to assess the effectiveness of policy that have been designed to address
Mäori needs,” Mr Fitzgerald says.
Te Hoe Nuku Roa began in 1992 in response to pressure from tribes and
other Mäori groups, who recognised the need for a longitudinal study
of Mäori households. Today more than 650 families are involved.
“When fieldwork started in 1993, there was ambition to maintain
research for at least one generation of families. The first two years
were developmental, where researchers fine-tuned tools and methodologies,
and since then three waves of interviews have been undertaken at three
yearly intervals with the same families.”
Mr Fitzgerald says key end users of the research findings include government
agencies a well as iwi authorities, trust boards and pan-tribal Mäori
service groups. The study is unique in its intentions, and has captured
considerable interest at conferences and forums held in Australia, the
South Pacific and in Europe.
“There has been significant international interest in the research
methodology and the methods employed on the project. This is especially
important because it implies that the methodology is transferable to other
indigenous peoples.”
Te Hoe Nuku Roa incorporates four specific aims. First, it uses a Mäori
relevant framework to gauge personal and family development. Second, it
attempts to objectify the context in which Mäori families and individuals
exist by examining their relationships with societal structures at local,
regional and national levels, as well as their relationship with Mäori
structures.
Third, it proposes an integrated and holistic approach to personal and
family development with a simultaneous focus on cultural, social and economic
dimensions. Fourth, it includes a longitudinal component that offers an
opportunity to chart the natural history of Mäori individuals and
families and to assess the impact of policies and programmes designed
to address their specific and unique situation.
The research team comprises academics from a range of disciplines. Each
is thoroughly familiar with Mäori cultural processes and has credibility
within Mäori communities. The team’s central role is to ensure
that data gathered from participants is translated into useful and effective
information that positively contributes to Mäori advancement and
development. The research team is led by Professors Mason Durie and Chris
Cunningham and includes Professor Arohia Durie, Associate Professor Taiarahia
Black, Dr Ian Christensen, Julia Taiapa, Brendan Stevenson, Rangihaanu
Rolls and Phillip Cockle.
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