Ka hao te rangatahi: Exploring school and work pathways for rangatahi Māori / Youth growing up within gang space in Aotearoa

Abstract

This thesis explores the experiences of rangatahi Māori growing up in gang environments in Aotearoa, focusing on their educational and employment journeys. The research aims to elevate the rangatahi narratives without reducing them to mere statistics or stereotypes, highlighting their resilience and insights in contexts often characterized by stigma and judgement. Employing principles of Kaupapa Māori, Critical Pedagogy, and a Waka navigation framework, this study challenges deficit-based perspectives that typically dominate discussions about gangs.

On a practical level, it advocates for trust-based partnerships with gang whānau, emphasizing the importance of honesty and respect to foster collaboration. Existing Whānau -led initiatives illustrate the possibilities of merging cultural knowledge with everyday survival, showcasing resilience as a lived reality. Theoretically, the research offers an insider perspective, positioning myself as researcher to honor lived experiences and mitigate traditional negative framings of gang spaces, instead framing them as complex sites of identity and resilience.

Ultimately, this thesis posits that rangatahi Māori in gang settings are not merely problems to be solved but are agents of hope and strength, rooted in their heritage. Their futures should be shaped by their identities rather than deficits, affirming their tino rangatiratanga and capacities for meaningful contributions within their communities.