Whariki Research Group/Te Ropu Whariki


Whariki 2005 Report

The Whariki Research Group was established in 2002, within Massey University. Whariki recognises multiple accountabilities that are negotiated with communities and other parties with whom Whariki works. As part of our kaupapa, we aim to tautoko Maori communities and organisations, to provide high quality research from a kaupapa Maori base and to further the development of a Maori health research workforce.

The group is engaged in an ongoing process of realising a research partnership with the Centre for Social Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), while acknowledging the difficulty of establishing an authentic partnership model within a mainstream Pakeha institution. We are engaged in a process that requires dialogue, reflection and negotiation based on a commitment to partnership and to meeting the obligations of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Director of Whariki, Helen Moewaka Barnes is also Associate Director of SHORE.

The partnership works at both the policy and project level within the group. Projects are Whariki led, SHORE led or partnership projects. In Whariki led studies, control is vested in Whariki and key groups involved. In partnership studies SHORE and Whariki work as a team, often with different areas of responsibility, depending on each project. Conceptual and developmental work is a shared and negotiated process.

As well as having whakapapa based connections; dependant on the members of Whariki, Nau Epiha (Nga Puhi) is the kaumatua for the existing research programme, providing guidance and support.
The research is multi-disciplinary, undertaking a mix of strategic and applied research with a public good focus. Whariki staff have expertise in kaupapa maori, qualitative and quantitative methodologies and have carried out research in a broad range of public health areas: alcohol and other drugs, nutrition, body perceptions, physical activity, stroke, education, suicide, HIV/Aids, identity, oranga hinengaro, tobacco/Auahi Kore, social marketing, advertising, food safety, capacity building, community action, evaluation, community development and community environments and well-being. Whariki is involved in quantitative surveys and has carried out Maori specific data collection and analysis.

The Whariki research programme places high priority on supporting the development of the Maori health research workforce. Whariki undertakes an extensive range of evaluation training programmes for health promotion workers within non-government organisations, iwi and other community provider organisations and also within the public health service. Whariki researchers have extensive networks with iwi and other Maori organisations and have entered into many collaborative research relationships.

Whariki staff number approximately twelve (full and part-time) and also employ a fluctuating number of interviewers on specific contracts. The ropu also has access to the expertise and support structure of SHORE, including statisticians and administrative support. The strength of this diverse disciplinary base lies in the breadth of methodological skills and research perspectives available to apply to complex public health questions. It enables triangulation of methods and approaches, which in turn leads to a fuller understanding of issues and factors contributing to research findings. Funders of current projects, both contract and investigator initiated, are the Health Research Council, the Ministry of Health, the Mental Health Foundation and Housing New Zealand.

The SHORE and Whariki 2005 Report describes the work and achievements of the group since its establishment at Massey University during the past year. The publication is organised in three sections: Whariki 2005 Report; SHORE 2005 Report; and Whariki and SHORE Project List.