Maori Emergency Management Network: Hono

Hono, a Maori Emergency Management Network, was launched end of last year in Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington). Established by Hinemoa Katene, Hono's vision is: 

A world where Indigenous wisdom and self-determination drives resilience, protects our people and the environment, and inspires global solidarity in the face of disaster. 

Essentially we seek agency for Maori in managing emergencies and disasters which - as most people seem to accept now - are increasing in frequency and intensity. Much of this new disaster space is with severe weather, as Aotearoa exprienced in the early part of 2023. The impacts are outlined in a key report (chaird by Sir Jerry Mateparae, link here). 

Tragically, shorter after this launch, Professor David Johnston (2nd from right, front row) died, leaving a son, Josh, and wife, Caroline. He also left a huge hole in the Joint Centre for Disaster Research (JCDR) based on the Massey Campus, Wellington.  

David's legacy is embodied in the people and places he's had a positive impact on with his work and the work he's supported through colleagues and students.

Anyway, watch this space! 

Lincoln Maori researchers secure more Vision Matauranga funding...

Ka mau te wehi!

Maori researchers at Te Whare Wananga o Aoraki (Lincoln uni) have secured VM funding for 2015.

Dr. Amanda Black (Tuhoe) and Melanie Mark-Shadbolt (Ngati Porou, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa) are developing a National Maori Biosecurity Network, and Dr. Jamie Ataria (Rongomaiwahine, Ngati Kahungunu, and Ngati Tuwharetoa via Cawthron, but we claim him too!) is on a project to improve water quality and river well-being.

Well done!

This success continues a show Lincoln University has developed some heft in the VM space, although we would be the first to acknowledge the VM is just one part of 'KM' (Kaupapa Maori)...

Nga Pae o te Maramatanga successful in CoRE rebid

Nga Pae o te Maramatanga's Centre of Research rebid has been successful and the group (which I am involved with along with fellow Lincoln colleagues Dr's Jamie Ataria and Amanda Black, and Melanie Mark-Shadbolt) has been invited to submit a full proposal.

The two unsuccessful bids were Te Kapuia (headed by Professor Linda Smith, Associate Professor Leonie Pihama and Dr. Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai) and Nga Pou Whakawhenua (a Southern Hub bid which was Lincoln University's 'formal' collaboration in this tortuous process).

I was critical of Nga Pae's earlier (failed) bid, which I thought very disjointed and poorly led.

So, congratulations this time! Much credit must go to Associate Professor Tracy Mackintosh who visited us personally at Lincoln (an important step in our personal support).

Nga Pae now have a few weeks to submit their full proposal, with TEC's final decision expected in June.

Special Issue of MAI Journal on Maori Resilience

Just published free and online by Nga Pae o te Maramatanga's MAI (Maori and Indigenous) Journal along with five other teams researching the concept of resilience for Maori.

In my article, titled "Maori and the Christchurch Earthquakes: the interplay between Indigenous endurance and resilience through urban disaster" - I discuss the challenges for urban Indigenous communities - Maori are 85% urban - and analyse survey data that shows whanau size and pre-disaster economic security are key causal components for those Maori who have maintained or even improved their well-being in a post-disaster landscape.

The lead article is by Mera Penehira, Alison Green, Linda Tuhiwai Smith andClive Aspin - “Māori and Indigenous Views on R & R: Resistance and Resilience” - and explores resilience discourse through the development of Māori and Indigenous frameworks. Is the concept of resilience is simply the most current means by which the State encourages Māori to reframe the experience of colonisation as one of successful “adaption” to adversity?

“Conceptualising the Link Between Resilience and Whānau Ora: Results From a Case Study” by Amohia Boulton and Heather Gifford presents a qualitative case study undertaken with a Māori health provider and discusses the link between resilience and the concept of whānau ora.

Jordan Waiti and Te Kani Kingi’s contribution titled “Whakaoranga Whānau: Whānau Resilience” explores “resilience strategies” and the multiple ways in which whānau contribute to the development of their members and the various mechanisms employed to foster growth and security. It is argued that understanding how whānau operate has implications for service delivery and policy design.

In “End-of-Life Care and Māori Whānau Resilience”, Tess Moeke-Maxwell, Linda Nikora and Ngahuia Te Aweokotuku discuss the cultural resources which assist Māori whānau in being resilient when caring for a family member at the end of life. The study illustrates that the economic and material ramifications of colonialism significantly impact on Māori at the end of life, influencing the ability of whānau to identify and access much needed resources and palliative care support.

In their second contribution to this issue, titled “Community-Based Responses to High Rates of HIV among Indigenous Peoples”, Clive Aspin, Mera Penehira, Alison Green and Linda Tuhiwai Smith compare findings from Australia, Canada and New Zealand and explore how community-based initiatives play a vital role in overcoming the challenges Indigenous people face in dealing with HIV and other chronic conditions.

Many thanks to reviewers and the editorial team, and especially to Amoia Boulton and Heather Gifford who have shepherded us through a long and tortuous process! The Issue will be formally launched on the first day of the International Indigenous Development Research Conference, Auckland, November 25-28, 2014.