Understanding Tangata Whenua and Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Kia Ora...

Now a days cultural diversity is very common in every society. Aotearoa/New Zealand is a country with its culture and traditions. But now a days, it is one of the countries with large diverse people. Working in a country like this requires a lot of learning and involvement with its people and culture. Cultural Responsive Practice is a comprehensive term which means having an awareness on culture and responding according to it in the work field. To work effectively with Maori people it is very essential to have a clear understanding  on Maori culture. Without knowing the culture, tradition, and the values of the Maori people, a practitioner will not be able to work with them. So, Welcome to the World of Maori...Learn- Reflect- Practice.....

Tangata Whenua

Tangata Whenua is the Maori term that is used to for Indegeneous people of New Zealand. Tangata whenua – literally, people of the land – are those who have authority in a particular place. This is based on their deep relationship with that place, through their births and their ancestors’ births. As tangata whenua express themselves in that place, they gain the authority and confidence to project themselves into the world. This idea, in turn, underpins the notion of mana whenua – spiritual authority in a given area.

 WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT 'Te Ao Maori', 'Te Reo Maori' and 'Tikanga Maori'?

Culture, traditions, customs and the language are the main factors that gives identity to a particular group of people in the society. tangata Whenua do have their own Te Ao Maori (Culture), Te Reo Maori (Langauage) and Tikanga Maori (Customs), which are considered as sacred one. Following are the main aspects of the above mentioned. 

Marae
Marae is the combination of carved building and grounds which belongs to an Iwi/hapu or whanau. Marae is created in a very special way and Maori consider it as Turangawaeae which means the place to stand and belong. The Marae is utilised for conducting meetings, celebrations, funerals and educational workshop. It also used for organising important tribal events.

Powhiri

Pohiri is the traditional Maori welcome ceremony which takes place in Marae. it is the essence of Maori protocol which includes speeches, singing, dancing and hongi. First, it is the coming of two groups together and negotiating themselves in terms of the engagement and closing with guest joining their hosts as one which shows the acceptance. It is religious or spiritual journey in which acknowledging Gods, Heaven, and Earth, remembering ancestors, and reinforcing kinship ties, are seriously made. This is the time when serious discussions are made on the concerned matters.

You can find more information from Powhiri Process

Pepeha

Pepeha is the representation of Maori Introduction that display the identity and the heritage of them. In official setting, Pepeha forms part of mihi. But in a group situation, when everybody gives their mihi, it is called mihimihi which is often held at the beginning of a hui.

Mana

Mana is an extra ordinary power or presence which stands as honour, prestige and Authority. It relates the power to the physical world. Traditionally, Mana has three categories. The First one is Whakapapa or Geology of the person. Mana also give the rights to the Maori to lead community and take decisions. Mana is an essential to the Whanau, Hapu, Iwi which shows the closeness.

Whakapapa

Whakapapa means important elements which shows the deep connection to the once own land and the roots of ancestry.

Tikanga

Tikanga means the traditions and the customs that have been handed over through the years of time. Maori people keep Tikanga very close to their heart. Tikanga is not just a theoretical way of living but it is the practical, lively living part of Maori culture.

Manaaki

Manaaki is all about the taking care of other people. It includes, nurturing relationship and being careful about treating others. Its values and principle are connected to Tikanga. Manaaki is very relevant irrespective of situations.

Nga Matatini

This principle identifies and acknowledge the ways in which Maori may or may not express their identity as Maori who are the New Zealanders.

The more information can be found at The World of Maori

The Cultural adaptability can be gained only through the continues learning and experience. It helps the practitioner to culturally competent to have practice with Maori.

THE TREATY OF WAITANGI

It is the founding document of New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi was a written agreement made in 1840 between the British Crown (the monarch) and more than 500 Māori chiefs. 

After that, New Zealand became a colony of Britain and Māori became British subjects. However, Māori and Europeans had different understandings and expectations of the treaty. The Treaty maintains the protection of Maori as both Tangata Whenua and Citizens of New Zealand.

3 Ps OF TREATY OF WAITANGI

Kawanatanga (Article 1)

Kawanatanga means Right to Govern. When Britishers took over the land in New Zealand, they were in need of new term to explain the kind of administrative control which they proposed to introduce. It itself is an obligation qualifies to protect the interest of the Maori.

Tino Rangatiratanga ( Article 2) 

Tino rangatiratanga means Absolute Sovereignty. Article two of the Treaty of the Waitangi gives the power and authority for iwi to exercise it in their own matters such as Land and Possessions. It is also called as Iwi Autonomy. Sometimes Tino Rangatiratanga includes physical, cultural, social and development in Maori context.

Oritetanga (Article 3)
Oritetanga is the provision which guarantees the Equality and equal opportunity. It is the third article of the Treaty of the Waitangi. Under this provision, Crown ensured equality and protection of Maori people and their matters in all aspect. It also means the equality between Maori and the other settlers.

The learning on Te Tiriti o Waitangi will enable the Practitioner to work effectively with the Tangata Whenua since it is the base of them.

MAORI MODELS OF HEALTH

The Māori philosophy towards health is based on a wellness or holistic health model. For many Māori the major deficiency in modern health services is taha wairua (spiritual dimension).

Te Whare Tapa Whā 

One of the model for understanding Māori health is the concept of ‘Te Whare Tapa Whā’ – the four cornerstones of Māori health.

With its strong foundations and four equal sides, the symbol of the wharenui illustrates the four dimensions of Māori well-being. When one of the four dimensions are missing or in some way damaged, a person, or a collective may become ‘unbalanced’ and subsequently unwell. For many Māori modern health services lack recognition of taha wairua (the spiritual dimension). In a traditional Māori approach, the inclusion of the wairua, the role of the whānau (family) and the balance of the hinengaro (mind) are as important as the physical manifestations of illness.

1. Taha tinana (Physical health)

The capacity for physical growth and development.

Good physical health is required for optimal development. Our physical ‘being’ supports our essence and shelters us from the external environment. For Māori the physical dimension is just one aspect of health and well-being and cannot be separated from the aspect of mind, spirit and family.

2. Taha wairua (Spiritual health)

The capacity for faith and wider communication.

Health is related to unseen and unspoken energies. The spiritual essence of a person is their life force. This determines us as individuals and as a collective, who and what we are, where we have come from and where we are going. A traditional Māori analysis of physical manifestations of illness will focus on the wairua or spirit, to determine whether damage here could be a contributing factor.

3. Taha whānau (Family health)

The capacity to belong, to care and to share where individuals are part of wider social systems.

Whānau provides us with the strength to be who we are. This is the link to our ancestors, our ties with the past, the present and the future. Understanding the importance of whānau and how whānau (family) can contribute to illness and assist in curing illness is fundamental to understanding Māori health issues.

4.Taha hinengaro (Mental health)

The capacity to communicate, to think and to feel mind and body are inseparable.

Thoughts, feelings and emotions are integral components of the body and soul. This is about how we see ourselves in this universe, our interaction with that which is uniquely Māori and the perception that others have of us.

More information can be found on Te Whare Tapa Whā

There are Several other health Models. Please find the information on Te Wheke and Te Pae Mahutonga

The Understanding and the practice on the above mentioned  Maori Health Models will enable the Practitioner to help  the Tangata Whenua to achieve holistic well being in their life.

CULTURAL RESPONSIVE PRACTICE BASED ON DAPAANZ Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics is the central guiding document for safe and ethical practice in addiction treatment and intervention in Aotearoa. It was developed in partnership with key people in the addiction treatment sector, including those from diverse ethnic, cultural, employment, and practice backgrounds.

All addiction practioners agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and will be held responsible for a breach of these ethics. This accountability provides practitioners, services and clients with a high level of assurance of the commitment to professionalism of addiction practitioners.

The Code of Ethics is absolutely based on the values of the Maori culture. Now lets analyse the main principles given in the code of ethics.

1. Respect for the dignity of others

Every individual should be treated with the respect and dignity so that client can achieve the desired objectives effectively.

2. Beneficence and Non- Maleficence

Always try to do good to the people so that they themselves and the significant others feel supported. Harm reductions should be one of the goal that needs to be considered while treatment is provided

3. Confidentiality and Privacy

All the information shared by the client should be kept confidential unless it is specified. Service provider should promote the privacy of the client too.

4. Trust

A good relationship should be maintained in all times with the client and community so that trust can be ensured to deal with any situations,

5. Promotion of autonomy

The client has the right to choose his own treatment. The practitioner can guide him.

6. Honesty and the integrity

Honesty and integrity should be maintained throughout the treatment sessions by the Practitioner.

7. Fairness

Practitioner should never be partial to the clients. All clients have the equal right to get benefitted from the services.

8. Skillfulness

Services for different groups, such as Maori, Pacifica and other cultural groups, should be delivered by the practitioner who has got relevant knowledge, skills and experience to address the needs of the clients.

9. Professional conduct

Practitioner should act in responsible way by showing the skills and passion in dealing with the clients, they have to take the responsibilities for their actions and decisions and its consequences.

10.Cultural Praxis

As a practitioner, cultural well-being of the client should be considered when dealing with the clients. Clear understanding on the Code of Ethics and the integrating them into the work field based on the learning from the Maori traditions and values, will help the practitioner to make a difference among the Tangata Whenua with problems.
Please find more information on Code of Ethics

Watch this special Video on Dapaanz Connect- Navigating Ethics in Professional Practice

Conclusion

Understanding on Maori culture and Treaty of Waitangi are essential for the effective culturally responsive practice among Tangata Whenua. Knowledge and experience helps the the Practitioner to have deeper involvement with in a culturally adaptive way. so that both can benefited from each other.

References

1. Maori. (n. d). Customs. Retrieved May 06, 2017 from http://www.maori.org.nz/tikanga/
2. Ministry of Health. (n. d). Maori Health Models. Retrieved May 07, 2017 from http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-health/maori-health-models
3. The Treaty in brief. (n.d.). Retrieved May 09, 2017, from https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/treaty/the-treaty-in-brief
4. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. (2008, December 10). Te Ara The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved May 09, 2017, from http://www.teara.govt.nz/en
5. Code Of Ethics. (n.d.). Retrieved May  09, 2017, from http://www.dapaanz.org.nz/code-of-ethics