Whānau violence is not just a social, justice or police problem. There are lifelong health consequences resulting in wide-ranging whānau, physical, mental, social and spiritual conditions. The layers of colonisation, historical trauma, abuse in state care, incarceration, and contemporary cultural, social and economic disenfranchisement make whānau violence a complex, multi-layered problem. The reality of violence for whānau is well known. It contributes to whakapapa trauma, intergenerational transmission of violence, and compounds the ongoing effects of colonisation and historical and contemporary trauma. Often whānau are disconnected from their whenua, te reo, and tikanga. This complexity contributes to resistance towards the resolution of mahi tūkino. Spanning generations, its destructive effects on whānau and their whakapapa negatively impact the oranga (wellness and wellbeing) of individuals and whānau.
This mana motuhake (Māori self-determination) project was led by Te Whāriki Manawāhine o Hauraki, Te Whare Whakaruruhau o Tauranga Moana, in partnership with AUT’s Taupua Waiora Māori Research Centre and Good Health Design. A series of discussions was held with Hauraki whānau and hapū about mahi tūkino (whānau and sexual violence) and its intergenerational trauma and harm. Participants requested resources to assist those affected by mahi tūkino. We used a Kaupapa Māori methodology informed by mātauranga Māori and underpinned by the cultural values of Te Whāriki: whānaungatanga (honouring connectedness), mana motuhake (valuing integrity), pūtaketanga (sharing knowledge and wisdom), and hohou te rongo (healing and advocating justice for all) to critically explore the potential to support whānau experiencing or who have experienced mahi tūkino to determine what works, for whom, and in what circumstances.
Together we co-designed Te Ara Poutama, a card-based interactive toolkit that supports wāhine and their whānau through a process of challenging but guided kōrero, personal reflection and active processing. It is used by kaimahi, whānau and hapū to bring together whānau affected by mahi tūkino, taking them through a range of activities to promote wellbeing and enhance their orangae and mana, and connect them to their whakapapa and whenua. The design (guided by Te Whāriki) uses the tukutuku and the design from Te Whāriki’s logo as a representation of the Poutama — your life’s journey. Te Kete Aronui’s green represents growth and life, Te Kete Tuauri’s blue represents links to our ancestors, and Te Kete Tuatea’s black/white represents links between te po (the world of contemplation and growth) and te ao marama (the world of understanding). The bag housing the kete pays homage to wāhine and represents the womb that holds life, potential, new beginnings and endings.
Whānau engaging with Te Ara Poutama will observe changes in whānau knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour, which represent a shift from the state of mauri mate (lack of anything) through to mauri oho (the awakening), mauri tū (a willingness to stand) and mauri ora (ultimate wellness, the best we can be). The concept of mauri noho (sitting still) demonstrates how transitioning from one state to another is neither linear nor direct but can be achieved with perseverance or repeated exposure to Te Ara Poutama.
