An exploration of Māori cultural values and how they are expressed in modern Māori whānau in relation to food

Abstract

Whakapapa (Background) Māori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa, comprising 15% of the New Zealand population. Māori believe health is multifactorial, and if one aspect of health falters then the others will be affected. Therefore, health professionals need an applied and practical understanding of Māori cultural values. This understanding and awareness will allow them to provide a more appropriate and effective service for Māori whānau (family).

Objective In this research, thematic qualitative methodology will be used to explore the expression of Māori cultural values within modern Māori whānau in relation to food. Specifically, this research will attempt to address these aims: 1. Identify Māori values that could influence healthy eating in Māori households 2. Explore how these values are expressed in modern Māori households 3. Discuss the practical implications for not only myself, but all dietitians, when working with Māori.

Ngā Tapuae (Methods) Using academic and grey literature, and Kaupapa Māori Theory, four core cultural values were identified: 1) Manaakitanga (to support one another), 2) Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the land), 3) Taonga Tuku Iho (passing down of knowledge), and 4) Kia pike ake i ngā raruraru o te kāinga (to lift the household up from hardships). These thematic codes were used to analyse, using a strengths-based approach, the extensive textual data from four Māori households and two Māori field researchers who took part in the 2011 “Out of the Box” study.

Ngā Hua (Results) Within four Māori households, as well as two Māori researchers, the four traditional cultural values were clearly expressed. Manaakitanga was the most commonly expressed value which encompassed aroha (love), whānau, and koha (gifting). Whānau placed a lot of emphasis on showing manaakitanga especially around tamariki (children), to ensure they instilled this important value in the children. Manaakitanga was important to whānau as it had many positive effects on Hauora Māori (Māori health), such as providing a sense of wellbeing and belonging and improving emotional health. Taonga Tuku Iho was the next most commonly expressed value, with whānau putting an emphasis on ensuring their tamariki learnt basic food and healthy eating principles. Kaitiakitanga was expressed but to a much lesser extent due to tenancy agreements preventing whānau from having a garden. However, there was still a strong belief that food was not to be wasted and thus excess kai (food) would be gifted to prevent wastage. Lastly, kia piki ake i ngā raruraru o te kāinga was most clearly expressed within the low-income whānau, where the mother had to overcome financial hardships and show resilience to provide her whānau with a healthy diet.

Mutunga (Conclusion) This research showed that four traditional Māori cultural values related to food were expressed within participating modern Māori whānau, and positively influenced Hauora Māori outcomes. Dietitians and other health professionals need to be aware of these values and how they influence healthy eating in order to maximise Hauora Māori outcomes for all Māori whānau.