I will present on my Master’s research - specifically, Ko wai au - Who am I?

It seeks to understand “How does wāhine Māori application of pepeha foster collective whānau Hauora?” This was a response to address concerning trends across family lines.  It sought to understand whether Indigenous knowledge systems positively affected disconnected whānau wellbeing through knowledge transmission of Pepeha. Pepeha is a Māori tool that could be considered geographical tribal coordinates recited to introduce and position one’s place within their tribe, whakapapa (ancestry) and to the land.

Taking an auto-ethnographical approach with a Mana wāhine theory lens, Mana Wāhine is considered Indigenous feminism uniquely positioned in Māori culture. The theory’s heart employs decolonisation to legitimise wāhine Māori voices and experiences, creating space where Wāhine Māori's diverse realities and their inherent mana are recognised and uplifted.

The original research analysed data sets from the subject's life, and subsequent analysis was conducted reflexively. It explores individual and whānau memories alongside historical facts and contemporary experiences, discussing challenges that Māori encounter, such as language trauma and (internalised) racism.

Key findings suggested that Pepeha knowledge positively affected the subject’s well-being by enabling a transformative journey towards cultural identity transformation. Utilising the Mana Wāhine theory provided catharsis, legitimacy, and validation of the subject’s experience.

As Indigenous peoples, our stories of pain, struggle, and resistance are also stories of strength, joy, and love that, when shared, heal. By presenting, I hope to share what I have learned and that others will be encouraged to undertake whānau-centred, indigenous-grounded research, thereby contributing to healing and reconciliation alongside meaningfully adding to the Academy’s knowledge.