PhD Candidate: Kahurangi Rora Waititi (Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngai Tahu)
Primary Supervisor(s): Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith
This research looks at how mahinga toi as process, theory and output contribute to whānau, hapū and iwi oranga and mana motuhake. This is explored through my iwi of Te Whanau a Apanui who have a strong history of tribal storytellers, that have led to our contemporary kaitoi and kaitito. One of the primary questions was how does mahinga toi contribute to oranga of whānau, hapū and iwi?
An inquiry through creative practice led to a deeper understanding of knowledge processes and systems, as well as contributing to the development of a tukunga iho methodology that extends on pūrakau methodology to include practice-based inquiry from a Te Ao Māori perspective. Which also led to the pātai, what does a creative practice-based framework look like?
An important aim of the research is to contribute to the practice and literature that emphasises that our artists and composures are an essential part of tribal identity and wellness. It highlights that mahinga toi can be an ancient grounding through time and space, a healer and reconnector and a platform to assert mana motuhake. Our tribal storytellers have a wide and varied impact on community wellbeing and therefore should be acknowledged and valued more for this contribution. Creating a practice-based framework also contributes to the notion that toi can be used as research inquiry and that it can contribute to new knowledge and wider research fields.