Whaia Te Tika

Whaia Te Tika

This eight-part learning series forms the foundation of Iwi United Engaged's Cultural Confidence pathway and introduces participants to the key concepts explored throughout our Te Ao Mārama and Researcher 2 Kairangahau offerings. With a focus on health and wellbeing, it examines the historical and contemporary relationship between Māori and Crown agencies, institutions, and universities through a Kaupapa Māori lens.

Designed to strengthen cultural confidence and capability, the workshops deepen participants' understanding of Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and meaningful engagement with Māori communities. Through facilitated discussion, critical reflection, and practical application, participants will explore approaches that foster stronger partnerships, enhance Māori participation, and contribute to improved health and wellbeing outcomes.

As the starting point for our broader educational pathways, these workshops provide the knowledge, relationships, and cultural understanding needed to engage respectfully and effectively within Māori contexts. Participants will leave with a stronger foundation for continued learning through Te Ao Mārama and Researcher 2 Kairangahau, supporting their ability to work collaboratively and confidently alongside Māori communities.

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 1

Broken Promises and Where To From Here

You are a partner to Māori, as non-Māori because of Te Tiriti and that gives you the right to live here.
Te Tiriti provides protection for our partnership, giving us all a tūrangawaewae - a place to stand| to thrive| to belong.
Without Te Tiriti you would have no authority to be here in Aotearoa.

Unpacking Equality And Equity

We need to understand that treating everyone equally doesn’t lead to equity, and in fact equal treatment often perpetuates, justifies and maintains racial hierarchies.
Default To Mainstream
- Makes Māori world view other, a problem, and different.
- A natural default to a Māori world view makes it normal and ordinary.

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 2

Discrimination And Recovering An Equal Partnership

We Are All The Same
One People
One Nation
In that case why not all be Māori?
It’s been said “the establishments beliefs only change one funeral at a time”…-Grant Dixson
…but we don’t have this long

Kaupapa Māori Approaches And Other Frameworks

By Māori|for Māori|with Māori
Māori led and of benefit for Māori
Based around Māori principles
It is important to understanding that through a te ao Māori lens hauora| health and wellbeing look different to a mainstream New Zealand view. Māori and other frameworks can be useful in helping the application of matauranga Māori to a research, clinical or non clinical setting.

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 3&4

Positionality And Influence Public Opinion

NZ Herald – “Pakeha call for Tikanga change. Is it not ok to be Maori?”
“Why is it so hard for non-Māori to accept that they don't need to police how ngā iwi Māori exercise their tikanga and cultural identity”.
“Many Pakeha don’t have daily experience with Maori and their experiences of what Maori life might be like is gained very largely from the media”-Judy McGregor : Human Rights Commissioner

Challenges And Applying Crown Frameworks

To truly listen, we must first stop talking.
…between the majority and the minority, the majority feel maligned.
“Whiteness is seen as ‘neutral and normal’ and we’re encouraged to think that white people are the people."
“In contrast, people who aren’t white are either “invisible — or hyper-visible.”

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 5

Whakapapa And Where To From Here

Whakapapa: Our Journey So Far
- Ko wai ahau? self-concept
- Life of privilege
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi and broken promises
- Equality and equity
Where have we been?

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 6

Applying Māori Frameworks

You already have a relationship with Māori through Te Tiriti o Waitangi - engagement is a responsibility, not something requiring permission.
Māori communities may carry past experiences of culturally unsafe or extractive research - trust matters.
Know your default and adjust accordingly.

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 7&8

Applying Good Stuff: From Principles To Practice

This journey has not been about having the right answers - it has been about having the courage to ask the questions.
Turning Understanding Into Action
Equity requires us to change practice - not expect Māori to fit the system.

Poipoia te kākano, kia puawai
Nurture the seed and it will blossom

Kōrero Mai|Let's Connect

Whaia Te Tika

Whaia Te Tika

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 1

Broken Promises and Where To From Here

Unpacking Equality And Equity

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 2

Discrimination And Recovering An Equal Partnership

Kaupapa Māori Approaches And Other Frameworks

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 3&4

Positionality And Influence Public Opinion

Challenges And Applying Crown Frameworks

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 5

Whakapapa And Where To From Here

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 6

Applying Māori Frameworks

Bridging the gap: Kaupapa Māori Approach To Engaging With Māori Communities 7&8

Applying Good Stuff: From Principles To Practice

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Kōrero Mai|Let's Connect