KAUMĀTUATANGA: KŌRERO OF MĀORI ELDERS FROM THREE TAI TOKERAU TRIBAL GROUPS

Authors

Marama Muru-Lanning, University of Auckland/Waipapa Taumata Rau
Hilary Lapsley, University of Auckland/Waipapa Taumata Rau
Tia Dawes, University of Auckland/Waipapa Taumata Rau
Keri Mills, University of Auckland/Waipapa Taumata Rau

Abstract

An ongoing transdisciplinary research program from James Henare Research Centre, University of Auckland/Waipapa Taumata Rau highlights kaumātua voices to investigate the well-being of Māori elders. Our kaupapa Māori research involves noho wānanga, overnight meetings with kaumātua of a particular rohe (area), and pays attention to locality and histories, as well as the direct emerging themes from conversations and interviews. This article examines participants’ understanding of kaumātuatanga, that is, what it means to be a kaumātua, or Māori elder, in three rohe in Te Tai Tokerau, the northern region of Aotearoa/New Zealand: Patuharakeke, Ngātiwai and Te Hiku o te Ika. We also discuss how kaumātuatanga sustains the well-being of elders and their communities. Despite persistent inequalities in health and material resource for older Māori across Aotearoa New Zealand, the well-being of kaumātua appears robust. The kaumātua role gives strong social connections, status, a sense of purpose, satisfaction in helping others (particularly the younger generations) and defines connection to their tribal group, linking tūpuna (ancestors) with the coming generations. Strong connection to the whenua (land), whānau, hapū, and iwi (family and tribal groupings) grounds kaumātua well-being. We conclude that kaumātuatanga is the pou (post) on which rests kaumātua well-being.

Recommended Citation

Muru-Lanning, Marama; Lapsley, Hilary; Dawes, Tia; and Mills, Keri (2023) "KAUMĀTUATANGA: KŌRERO OF MĀORI ELDERS FROM THREE TAI TOKERAU TRIBAL GROUPS," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 46: No. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol46/iss1/5