Tautoro whakapapa kōrero (important kin-community events/narratives of the distant and recent past)

Raaniera Te Whata (Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Moerewa, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), University of Otago

The overall aim of this thesis is to discover Tautoro whakapapa kōrero (important kin-community events/narratives of the distant and recent past) and strengthen the contemporary shape and flow of hapū:

• mana tūpuna (the influence of ancestors, their leadership and deeds);

• mana tangata (the confidence and vitality of hapū, whānau and individuals) and;

• mana whenua (the power associated with the land, including inherited rights, power of control and the protection and conservation of especially sacred sites)

• and tikanga (customary protocols that determine what is right and wrong in the local socio-physical environment)

The re-establishment of mana within marae-centred boundaries in the Tautoro rohe (traditional territory) will define Tautoro specific ways of thinking about the environment and enhance contemporary and future experiences of tangata whenua kaitiakitanga (stewardship) of whenua and wai in the landscape. Furthermore, it hopes to contribute to transformative changes resource consent consulting practices; decision-support models and culturally sensitive innovations within regional local government and horticultural industry policymaking spheres. It is hoped that the findings will translate into new opportunities and new learnings for other regions and hapū communities. The following summarises key objectives and milestones of rural, papakāinga (home community) - based research. It also highlights the nature and extent of collaboration involved. 

The thesis utilises whakapapa as both research paradigm and method. Whakapapa is not limited to reciting genealogy, rather it is an effective tool for examining sequences of past experiences; recognising and understanding past trends and their links to contemporary land and waterscape issues and challenges. A whakapapa approach to research content and outcomes, community engagement and land/waterscape management can demonstrate the importance of an interconnected way of thinking and acting and help build positive future pathways. 

The structuring of Tautoro whakapapa narratives in this thesis - from a present to past lens -have not existed in this contemporary form before now and thus contributes new indigenous material to the wider kete (basket, collection) of knowledge. More importantly, the Tautoro hapū descendant community (both local and out of area who number in the many hundreds, if not thousands) are the beneficiaries of this research as the findings have immediate significance to those individuals and wider kin-community members who contributed kōrero and support. 

The wider significance of this research is that it highlights the challenges, the advantages and disadvantages of rural papakāinga-based research and thesis writing away from the University of Otago institutions. Highlighting my research journey may substantiate the next generation of young Māori researchers considering rural, papakāinga-based research.

This thesis uses a case study approach with Tautoro specific hapū (sub-tribe) and whānau (extended family) to identify key events and outcomes in the whakapapa of the community in regards to the challenges of water stewardship (kaitiakitanga). This will generate a socio-cultural understanding of water resources in Tautoro. Gaps in information can limit the ability of industry and local governments to make well-informed decisions. Information needs to be understandable, both to decision-makers and to those holding them to account. Sound information depends on collecting quality kōrero. A local picture of the state of wai Māori supports a more strategic and integrated approach to water stewardship and use. 

Through the case study and community-specific methodological approaches (i.e. a whakapapa approach) and models developed from this research, I hope to show what works, why it works, how it relates and what is relevant to the cultural needs and aspirations of the Tautoro hapū community and their local environment. 

At the time of application for this doctoral completion scholarship, the content of several chapters of my thesis has been used to support the writing of a Tangata Whenua Values Report and Impact Assessment for horticultural development activities and irrigation requirements for two large-scale Avocado and Kiwifruit companies in Tautoro. The research was disseminated locally within Tautoro community households, the Tautoro marae community and to those with whakapapa connections to the area who live further afield. 

Its content has wider applicability with local government, horticultural company directors, stakeholders and hydrologists now considering the research information in light of the recently announced construction plans for irrigation water storage facilities in the Kaikohe area (current site explorations include the Tautoro area).  Furthermore, relevant content will be used to form a local resource management plan (Mana Whakahono ā Rohe) for the seven hapū that whakapapa to the Tautoro area.