He Whiringa Muka: The relationship between the Whanganui river, marae and waiata

Meri Haami (Iwi affiliation Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Victoria University of Wellington

He Whiringa Muka is a doctoral study that examines the relationship between the Whanganui river, Rānana Marae (meeting place) and waiata (songs). This project uses ecomusicological methods, Kaupapa Māori methodologies and performative ethnography while adapting and applying Te Awa Tupua legal frameworks within research. 

The objective of this research is to explore the inextricable connection between the marae community of Rānana and the Whanganui river through examining the musical expressions of this relationship within the scope of waiata. The objective of this work is to create a Kaupapa Māori ecomusicological framework that can be implemented for future Māori music researchers within ethnomusicology and ecomusicology as well as privilege emerging hapū frameworks.