Abstract
This is a study of whanau Maori violence. I explore my own personal journey through family violence into the light, and compare it to the journey of my own people through the injustices of colonialism, and the impact of official violence on whanau violence.
The study assesses a range of responses - individualistic, expert and punitive – the only constant being the glaring and gross lack of success and effectiveness of these responses as problems continue to escalate.
The need for an alternative response emerges, a response which is relational, explanatory and holistic. An integration is required, which includes all the forms of family violence, from all people at all levels.
A constructivist approach is then taken, validating the way that people make sense of their worlds and the usefulness of their constructions for changing the world. The findings identified that for Maori the goal is to reject the negative deficit approaches, to one which celebrates and validates Maori knowledge and wisdom.
The substance of the research involved talking to Maori about their experiences and wisdom. That experience and wisdom becomes a practical model of community and whanau development in Wairoa.
The conclusions support key recommendations for change.