Doctoral Thesis

Roma Simmons-Donaldson (Ngāti Porou, Taranaki, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kauwhata), University of Otago

The aim of this research is to investigate the re-establishment of intergenerational language transmission in Wellington whānau who have experienced language loss, by analysing the intersection between second language-speaking parents and their first language-speaking children.

The overarching research question I aim to address is: how do whānau who have experienced language loss reclaim their language and re-establish intergenerational language transmission in an urban environment?

The primary objectives of this research are to highlight critical factors that contribute to raising children to be bilingual in an urban setting, and present strategies that can inform and support whānau on similar journeys. The overarching purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the revitalisation of te reo Māori at the whānau level.

Sarika Rona (Sarika Rona), Massey University

This research will use Kaupapa Māori approaches to bring forward narratives of learning from the candidate's whānau, hapū, and iwi. It is important that specific whānau, hapū, and iwi narratives have a place in the literature, where they are documented to “tell their story” and avoid generalising Māori experiences.

What is shared and captured through these pūrākau will enable mokopuna in the future to have choice and another avenue through which to connect, learn, and gain insight into the learning embodied in the everyday lives of their tūpuna.

The research will explore and document the relationships, values, conceptualisations, and practices of learning, including the intergenerational aspects of learning and knowledge-sharing. It will also consider how we can continue to capture and learn from these experiences now and into the future.

Rewa Paewai (Ngāti Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-a-Rua; Ngāti Pikiao), The University of Auckland

This doctoral study is primarily philosophical, using theory and Māori ontological concepts to engage with culturally significant ideas in Te Oriori mō Whakaewa-i-te-rangi. This oriori was considered by Sir Apirana Ngata to be one of the oldest surviving compositions in Māoridom.  As such, the oriori provides a rich and authentic source of information and knowledge for the study of oontology as it relates to the Ngāti Pakapaka hapū of Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-a- Rua.

The key research questions that drive this study and reflect its methodology are:

What are some of the key ideas expressed in Te Oriori mō Whakaewa-i-te-rangi that can illuminate ontological assumptions of Te Ao Maori?

How do these key ontological ideas underpin and explain aspects of tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori?

The aim of this doctoral study is to add to the current research about Māori ontologies in order to develop a deeper understanding of mātauranga Māori and contribute to discussions about the centrality of te ao Māori including mātauranga in Aotearoa today.

Vicky Jane Nelson (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Ruanui), University of Otago

Māori experience significant health inequities compared to non-Māori, and injury incidence and outcomes are no exception. Evidence from the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS), a longitudinal cohort study of injured New Zealanders, demonstrates that a substantial proportion of Māori experience ongoing difficulties, adverse outcomes, and disability up to 24 months post-injury. However, there remains limited understanding of long-term outcomes beyond this timeframe, particularly from a strengths-based perspective.

Jovan, Mokaraka-Harris (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Wai), Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Wai

Georgia McLellan (Te Whakatōhea & Ngāi Te Rangi), The University of Auckland