Abstract
Tairāwhiti Waka, a 72ft waka hourua (double-hulled sailing canoe) enables rangatahi (youth, young people) to learn and embody Tairāwhiti Voyaging Philosophies (theories, attitudes, and characteristics of our voyaging ancestors from Te Tairāwhiti that act as principles of behaviour) to enhance hauora (a Māori understanding of health and well-being) through whanaungatanga (building strong and long-lasting relationships), akoranga (reciprocal learning process), rangatiratanga (acknowledging self-determination and autonomy) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
Tairāwhiti Waka is based in the Te Tairāwhiti, the East Coast region of the North Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand. The vision of Tairāwhiti Waka is “building connections, understanding and knowledge for rangatahi within a framework of mātauranga Māori” (Tairāwhiti Voyaging Trust, 2022, p. 6). Te Tairāwhiti, the region, is home to a rich whakapapa (genealogy) of voyaging tradition that is the essence of our history, identity, culture, and people. Despite the rich whakapapa of voyaging, arts, and culture, in Te Tairāwhiti there are several health issues currently facing the region which are more pronounced in our Māori community. Te Tairāwhiti has some of the highest deprivation levels, and therefore some of the greatest health burdens nationally (Hauora Tairāwhiti, 2019).
To date there have been no comprehensive studies of waka voyaging philosophies, and specifically Tairāwhiti voyaging philosophies alongside the praxis of sailing waka hourua. Furthermore, prior research has shown that having a connection to and regularly engaging with the ocean through waka is positive for hauora and identity (Jackson et al., 2018; Panelli & Tipa, 2007; Mita, 2016). Yet, there is limited research that examines the connection between waka hourua and hauora, and how waka hourua can positively enhance identity and improve hauora.
The aims of this research were: to investigate Tairāwhiti Voyaging Philosophies what these are, where these come from and how these can be embodied by Tairāwhiti voyagers of today; and to examine how Tairāwhiti Waka contributes to hauora in Te Tairāwhiti. Kaupapa Waka was the methodological approach of this research. Kaupapa Waka extends on Kaupapa Māori theory and methodology and is a research methodology contextualised in the praxis of sailing waka hourua. Kaupapa Waka, is considered as a way of life and set of principles that underpin how kaumoana (crew-members) and kaihautū (captains) operate in the best interests of their waka and the collective. Kaupapa Waka is therefore an over-arching framework of how to be, do and think in a way that is consistent with the values of the waka which informed the methods of this research.