Abstract
Within this chapter, we describe the application of the He Awa Whiria approach in two pieces of psychology research, namely, the authors’ respective doctoral theses. The first example described below is research by Hitaua Arahanga-Doyle that looked at the development and application of a brief social-psychology intervention with first-year Māori university students. The intervention drew on mātauranga Māori regarding the importance of whanaungatanga (building relationships) and contemporary Western social psychology theories. The second example is research by Carrie Clifford, which explored the use of pūrākau (Māori legend or story) and Māori storytelling practices in contemporary mental health settings. Her research involved qualitative approaches (for example, interviews, focus groups) with a wide range of health professionals and kaumātua (Māori elders, persons of status within the whānau) to explore the use, benefits and broader considerations to the therapeutic use of pūrākau. While these two projects are independent pieces of work, each author aimed to provide holistic, strengths-based solutions to promote Māori health and wellbeing within the discipline of psychology.