Ngā uri whakarapu i tōna tūrangawaewae. Descendants seeking connection to identity of origin. Exploring the cultural and identity journeys of Māori adoptees in the pursuit of an Indigenous identity and connection to birth and origin

This thesis explores the cultural, psychological, and inter-generational impacts of closed adoption on Māori adoptees in New Zealand, with a particular focus on the disconnection from whakapapa (genealogy) and the ongoing search for identity. Grounded in a kaupapa Māori framework (Smith, 1999) and guided by the lived experiences of Māori adoptees (Kaiuru) and descendants of Māori adoptees (Kaiuru Rito), the study critically examines the implications of the Adoption Act 1955. This legislation enabled closed or ‘stranger’ adoptions that severed ties between Māori children and their whānau, hapū, and iwi (Ahuriri-Driscoll, 2020; Haenga-Collins, 2011; West, 2024).

The research addresses key questions: To what extent were the cultural rights of Māori children denied during adoption? How has this affected their identity formation, wellbeing, and sense of belonging? What are the ongoing implications for their children and grandchildren? These questions are explored through narrative inquiry, privileging the voices of those directly impacted by adoption and cultural dislocation (Walker, 1989; Ferrari et al., 2015).

As an insider researcher and Māori adoptee, I bring a personal lens to this work, acknowledging the ethical and cultural responsibilities of researching within one’s own community (Smith, 1999; Marsden, 1975). The thesis highlights the resilience of whakapapa and the enduring efforts of Māori adoptees and their descendants to reclaim cultural identity and connection, despite the structural barriers imposed by colonial legislation and social norms (Else, 1991; Newman, 2011a; West, 2012).

Structured across ten wāhanga, the thesis traverses the historical, legislative and ideological contexts of adoption in New Zealand, the cultural significance of whāngai (cultural practice of care), and the lived realities of those affected. It concludes by offering critical insights into the legacy of closed adoption and calls for culturally responsive reforms that honour the rights of Māori to identity, connection and self-determination.