Māori and Psychology: Research and Practice Symposium 1999

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https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/872

This collection contains the individual papers presented at the following symposium:

Robertson, N. (Ed). (1999). Māori and psychology: Research and practice. Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by the Māori & Psychology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton, Thursday 26th August 1999. Hamilton, New Zealand: Māori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato.

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Ethnicity and deliberate self-injury: A review of the literature
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Wilson, Cate
Deliberate self-injury is a significant social problem affecting youth in New Zealand. Rates of hospitalisation for youth (aged 15 to 19) from deliberate self-injury approximate 225 per 100,000. It appears that the rates for Maori and women are significantly higher. From 1987 to 1993, an average of 488 Maori women per 100 000 population have been hospitalised each year (Ministry of Health: Manatu Hauora, 1996). This paper draws upon both local and international literature to examine factors underlying this ethnic disparity. There is a wealth of literature examining risk factors underlying suicidal behaviour as a whole. Deliberate self-injury is usually assumed to be an adjunct of youth suicide; prevention strategies are conflated. This paper argues that this assumption is untenable, and in particular, that prevention strategies designed for youth suicide are problematic in terms of deliberate selfinjury. While prevention strategies are based upon studies that do not differentiate between these groups, results will be compromised.
Maori women and research: Researching ourselves
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Te Awekotuku, Ngahuia
This was the closing keynote address at the Student Symposium organized by the Maori & Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato, Hamilton in August 1999. Most of the people attending were Maori, and female, and I spoke to, for, and about us. The speech was transcribed from an oral address with transparencies, and has been revised here for this publication.
Maori and epilepsy: Personal perceptions of the cause, treatment and consequences of epilepsy by Maori in the Bay of Plenty
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Simonsen, Kiri
This paper discusses the perceptions of epilepsy held by Maori in the Bay of Plenty. The paper begins by introducing the purpose and rationale of the research. It then moves on to describe the aims and qualitative research methods that were used to collect the data. Finally the paper discusses the findings of the research, this includes: a close look at the unique perceptions of epilepsy that were reported by Maori in the Bay of Plenty; the lack of resources and services available in a small rural town of the Bay of Plenty; the services desired by Maori; attitudes towards medication and the inappropriate behaviour many of the participants experienced by the medical profession.
Contemporary attitudes to traditional facial ta moko: A working paper
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Rua, Mohi
Until it came under serious attack from nineteenth century missionaries, ta moko was an integral part of traditional Maori society. Facial moko conveyed important information about identity, whakapapa and status. The process of receiving a moko was tapu and highly regulated. Recent years have seen an increase in the number of Maori receiving ta moko. Moko have been seen as a symbol of Maori pride and identity and have often been associated with political activism. This study set out to investigate the contemporary meaning of ta moko, the reactions wearers encounter from others and the ways wearers cope with those reactions. Three case studies are presented. These show that the issues of personal identity and whakapapa were central to the meaning wearers attached to their moko. Receiving a moko was often associated with significant personal changes and an increased political commitment to Maori self determination. On the whole, positive reactions were more common than negative reactions but wearers did find themselves subjected to racist and antagonistic responses. Wearing moko was also reported to mean that others, particularly other Maori, placed certain expectations on the wearer, notably to be fluent in te reo and to be able to exercise leadership. Participants considered that there was a need for education about the significance of ta moko and recommended that those contemplating receiving a moko ensure that they are reasonably fluent in te reo.
Ya got ta know when ta hold ‘em: Maori women and gambling
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Morrison, Laurie Elena
Gambling among Maori women is under-researched. In this study, I interviewed thirty Maori women to investigate how they got involved in gambling, what maintained their gambling and what they thought might help to moderate their gambling. I found that the whanau was central to understanding these issues. As children, my participants were exposed to gambling within their whanau. As adults, whanau and other social support relationships were an integral part of their gambling, which most commonly occurred in the context of card schools and housie. A sense of reciprocity was important in both forms of gambling. Card schools were reported to be close-knit groups within which the money circulated, giving all a chance to win. By playing housie, the women felt that they were contributing to the welfare of their marae. Through the social bonds of gambling and the acquisition of skills, gambling contributed to these women’s sense of identity. On the other hand, financial and relationship difficulties were identified as negative consequences of gambling. The women felt there was a need for Maori-focused services for problem gambling.
Ngā kanohi hou – identifying and exploring the issues: Experiences of an intern
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Masters-Awatere, Bridgette
The current paper reflects upon the discovery of an intern from the post graduate diploma in community psychology programme (PGDipPsych (Com). The PGDipPsych (Com) is currently facilitated through the University of Waikato School of Arts and Social Sciences, Psychology Department. This journey of discovery is presented from the perspective of a Māori student who is employed in a mainstream public health organisation. The perspective of a person who is new to the workforce, and the “real world,” who views the surrounding environment with a pair of fresh eyes. This paper highlights the importance of the internship period as it supports the student who moves from a structured environment with a strong emphasis on theory, towards a competitive, semi structured environment that is driven by deadlines, budgets and contracts. Factors identified are the demands of Māori communities on Māori health researchers, supportive versus competitive environments, the benefits and drawbacks of being based in a mainstream health organisation, and the future direction of Māori health research. It is hoped that the current paper will encourage further discussion about the future direction of a diploma programme such as the PGDipPsychCom for Māori graduates of a New Zealand tertiary institution.
An accountability model for Pakeha practitioners
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Huygens, Ingrid Louise Maria
This paper outlines a model of accountability for Pakeha practitioners developed over many years as a practising community psychologist involved in research and development projects in Aotearoa in the 1980s and 1990s, during an era of contract-funded health projects, and increasing prominence of the Treaty of Waitangi2. The model could be termed 'transformative' in that it reverses the usual flow of power by making the Pakeha practitioner accountable to relevant Maori authority, and maximises the potential for new outcomes and new learning for all parties. A brief case study is outlined where the model placed a local iwi governance structure and a national psychiatric survivor organisation in positions of authority alongside the funder of a mental health project. Helpful conditions, positive outcomes and barriers to transformative accountability processes are briefly discussed.
Maori women and dual ethnicity: Non-congruence, “passing” and “real Maori”
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Gibson, Kelly
In this study, I wanted to explore the often uncomfortable experience of having dual ethnicity. I did this through open-ended interviews with nine women, who, like me, were aged between 20 and 30 and who identified as being of both Maori and Pakeha (or other) descent. While the women all identified as having dual ethnicity, as the interviews progressed it became clear that many of them had little pride in being of Pakeha descent and identified more strongly with their Maori heritage. In most instances the way they were identified by other people was incongruent with how the participants identified themselves. By virtue of having fair skin, many were able to “pass” as Pakeha. This provided them with certain advantages, notably being exempt from racist treatment. On the other hand, their appearance often resulted in them being labelled as not being a “real Maori.” Paradoxically, when they were identified as Maori, others, both Maori and non-Maori, sometimes expected them to be an expert in all things Maori. For most participants being a “real” Maori did not rely on looking Maori or on being able to speak Te Reo fluently. Instead, having whakapapa was considered the most essential element on which to base their Maori identity.
Policy for Maori: values, assumptions and closing the gap
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Levy, Michelle Patricia
This paper looks at the issue of what it is about the way in which policy is developed which influences whether or not policy meets the needs of Maori. To do this I will focus on one component of policy making; the role of the values and assumptions of policy makers. Assumptions about the nature of policy making and the way in which policy can be used to maintain and modify norms and standards, determine values and define problems are briefly investigated. These issues are highlighted using the Code of Family and Social Responsibility as an example of the way in which dominant cultural value bases and assumptions have influenced the way in which policy issues are framed and presented. The paper concludes by asking why the consideration of the values of policy makers is important for Maori and how can I, as a Maori policy analyst working within the Government policy making sector, contribute to the development of policy which is based on Maori assumptions, realities, values and world views.
Kaupapa Maori research: An indigenous approach to creating knowledge
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Bishop, Russell
This paper seeks to identify how issues of epistemological racism are addressed in practice within an indigenous Kaupapa (philosophy) Maori approach to research, and how such considerations may impact on the Western trained and positioned researcher. One fundamental understanding to a Kaupapa Maori approach to research is that it is the discursive practice that is Kaupapa Maori that positions researchers in such a way as to operationalise selfdetermination (agentic positioning and behaviour) for research participants. This is because the cultural aspirations, understandings and practices of Maori people implement and organise the research process. Further, the research issues of power; initiation, benefits, representation, legitimation, and accountability are addressed and understood in practice by practitioners of Kaupapa Maori research through the development of a participatory mode of consciousness.
Maori and psychology: Research and practice (full conference proceedings)
(Conference Contribution, Maori and Psychology Research Unit, University of Waikato, 1999) Robertson, Neville
This is the full proceedings of the symposium sponsored by the Maori and Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato: Maori and psychology: Research and practice. The publication of the proceedings of this symposium marks a significant milestone for the Maori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU). Since its inception in 1997, the unit has played an important role in nurturing and supporting students to engage in Maori-focussed research. They have played, and continue to play, an important part in our research activities as interviewers, analysts, coordinators and writers. The MPRU symposium was organised to serve as a platform to profile the work of our students, to disseminate research results and to invite other researchers to witness the nature of the MPRU’s work.

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