Tai Walker

Exploring the evolution and application of the concept of whānau

The overall aim of this study is to compare and contrast the real life or lived experience of whānau members, and their values and beliefs, with the ways in which academics and policy makers apply the concept of whānau in academic and policy work. The study will explore contemporary Māori perceptions and practice of whānau, whānau ora and whanaungatanga from traditional and urban perspectives. 

Qualitative methods will be chosen to gather data from a diverse range of Māori participants.  Participants from Ngati Porou, key informants from different tribes and with a range of life experiences will be interviewed.   Participants from government and the non-government sector will also be interviewed and comparisons will be made between the data from the various groups involved in the research. A Māori/tribal worldview will inform the development of the questions, data gathering, analysis, and dissemination to participants.  A range of questions related to kinship and non-kinship arrangements, leadership, urban Māori, factors which strengthen and undermine whānau and the impact of policy on whānau will be explored.

Tai Walker, Victoria University of Wellington tai.walker@vuw.ac.nz