Abstract
Tuakiri describes a secure sense of Māori identity and has been identified as a correlate of holistic wellbeing for Māori, and potential target for intervention early in the lifecourse to improve mental health outcomes for Māori throughout life. In order to better leverage tuakiri in this way, there is a need for research on tuakiri that listens to the perspectives of rangatahi who are immersed in te ao Māori. The aim of the present study was to enhance our understanding of tuakiri from the perspective of rangatahi Māori from Taranaki who have been enrolled in kaupapa Māori education. Photo-elicitation interviews informed by kaupapa Māori research principles were conducted with eight rangatahi aged 13-17 (four taitama and four taitamāhine) who all identified as Taranaki Māori. Thematic analysis resulted in three themes that reflect aspects of tuakiri and factors that foster its development. The first theme, ‘Collectives ground Māori individuals’, addresses the importance of collective relationships to rangatahi identity. The second theme, ‘Māori cultural knowledge and skills’, emphasises the central role of ancestral knowledge including te reo Māori and tikanga as aspects of tuakiri. The third theme, ‘Localised Taranaki Māori identity’, describes the importance of the participants’ localised identity as Taranaki Māori and the unique characteristics it contains. The findings suggest that tuakiri for rangatahi is localised (e.g., in relation to marae, rohe) and is centred around collective relationships (e.g., whānau, hapū, iwi) and supported by participation in Māori cultural activities. The findings implicate connecting rangatahi with cultural activities (e.g., te reo Māori, kapa haka, Māori sports), and Māori collectives as ways to strengthen tuakiri, and support holistic wellbeing. Future research is needed that explores regional Māori identities and further empowers rangatahi and whānau to lead in the research process.