Doctoral Thesis

Georgia, McCarty (Waikati Tainui, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa), University of Otago

Understanding the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) preferences of rangatahi Maaori and adapting or creating a specific HRQoL measure will contribute knowledge, help improve the efficiency of health funding decision-making and reduce health disparities for Maaori. This study is utilising qualitative methods underpinned by kaupapa Maaori principles to conduct a scoping review of the advantages and disadvantages of existing youth HRQoL measures for rangatahi Maaori. These findings will be used to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of existing youth HRQoL measures through waananga and think aloud sessions with rangatahi Maaori and their whaanau. Findings will be analysed, synthesised and interpreted and will be disseminated in a variety of ways.

Petera Hudson (Te Whakatoohea), Waikato University

This research takes the position that technologies using AI techniques are promoting a diversity crisis throughout industry, academia, and society. These techniques are amplifying biased stereotypes that are now being observed in automated systems.

This research will examine the ways in which my whānau, members of Te Uri o Patumoana rāua ko Raikete Amoamo, seek to respond to dominant, colonially influenced technologies, and to explore approaches that ensure a new form of colonial oppression does not become a reality.

Deborah Heke (Nga Puhi, Te Arawa), Auckland University of Technology

Tūpuna Māori were a strong and active people whose relationship with their natural environment was fundamental to their ability to adapt and flourish in challenging environments.  It is the intent of this research to present a mana-enhancing narrative giving voice to physically active wāhine Māori, (re)presenting their connection to and activation of mana inherited from ancestors. The aim is to explore the whakapapa of physical activity among a group of self-declared physically active Māori women. 

By identifying characteristics that relate to their ability to maintain physical activity, this study will ultimately weave those findings into pūrākau of atua [wāhine] – feminine representations within nature. Whakapapa provides this research with both method and methodology, while an overarching lens of Mana Wahine prioritises the important voices at the intersection of being Māori and female. Using a uniquely styled interview process that allows a platform for sharing through physical activity, this research acknowledges and utilises the diverse ways to communicate and transmit knowledge.

Riki Neihana Gooch (Patuharakeke, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Mahanga Hourua), University of Otago

The intention is to create a lexicon of musical conducting gestures that embody the physical movements, symbolism, and form that exist within a Te Ao Maori context, with the Afro/Eurological improvised music methodology of Conduction.

This project is a development of the Conduction method that I have been recording, performing, and practising over the past 10 years. The research will focus on what makes the combination of Te Ao Maori and Conduction a unique contribution ft, the improvised music canon. It will also look at how this is unique to both the indigenous and western musical worldview.

The aim for this project is to establish a thorough resource to build upon -for experienced musical practitioners, non-experienced, and rangatahi. I intend for this work to be a contribution to Te Ao Maori/Te Ao Marama, with the hope that it becomes useful resource for any musician or performer.

Jefferson Dew (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa), University of Otago

Peaks in electricity demand cause substantial issues for electricity systems’ infrastructure requirements. Demand-side management provides opportunities to reduce these peaks and create a more sustainable and affordable electricity supply. Dairy farming, being the third largest electricity use sector in Aotearoa has a role to play in enabling this transition, but is so far not meaningfully represented in the efforts of electricity sector organisations to alter electricity demand.

By working with highly industrialised dairy farms owned and operated by iwi organisations I aim to demonstrate not only the technical potential that these (and other) farms have to reduce electricity demand peaks, but also overcome barriers to change that the farmers face in adopting new technology and practices.

Miriama Cribb (Whanganui, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tama), Massey University

Challenges have been made to businesses to reimagine a different way of doing things. This requires a shift in paradigm, one that includes decolonial conversations that challenge assumptions of the dominant paradigm.

One way of shifting paradigms, involves pushing and pulling organisations to use indigenous metaphors (Dell et al., 2020). An example of this is the granting of legal personhood to the Whanganui River which seeks to take a holistic approach to ensure the Whanganui River catchment is viewed and managed, not in isolation, but as an interconnected ecosystem.