Consolidating our Strengths:

1. Consolidating our Strengths: Collaboration as a means to further contemporary Indigenous knowledge Amohia Boulton, Gill Pirikahu, Jennifer Tamehana INIHKD Conference, Poulsbo, WA, USA 25 May 2010

2. Overview • The research collaboration • Who we are • Principles underpinning the collaboration • Principles in practice • Progress to date

3. Research Collaboration • Is the concept of “resilience” relevant in Māori primary health? • Is “resilience” a relevant or useful concept for Māori whānau? • How can whānau resilience be supported and enhanced by Māori primary health services?

4. Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development • Ngāti Hauiti - an Iwi (tribe) from Central Rangitikei, Aotearoa • Whakauae - Iwi research unit of/for Ngāti Hauiti • Tribally owned and accountable

5. Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority • Inter-tribal organisation governed by 3 Iwi • 141 staff, 6 service entities, 1 support service • Protected by a cultural framework, Te Pitau Whakarae • Pitau Whakarae based on the values and principles encapsulated within the Kaupapa Ake (Vision Statement)

6. WHANAU ORA – Organisational Driven Service Delivery Model GOVERNANCE Iwi Clinical & Provider ADVISORY Committees Groups C E N T R E O F E X C E L L E N C E MANAGEMENT CEO HR, QIM, Clinical, Cultural & Finance INFORMATION Research Development Analysis OPERATIONS / SERVICES Service Leaders / Managers Front line Primary Health Services SUPPORT Full administration, finance, service assistance MODELLING Service models, Maori health models, Strategies TE PITAU WHAKARAE – Organisational Cultural Quality Framework How these Elements Fit

7. The Research Collaboration • TOIHA and WRMHD share a whakapapa (genealogical) connection • TOIHA and WRMHD share a kaupapa (project) relationship • Our shared kaupapa - to understand the health and social services and practices required that best support whānau

8. Principles Underpinning the Work • Kotahitanga – a unity of worldview, purpose and direction • Manākitanga – recognising and respecting each other’s unique contribution • Tiakitanga – acting in a manner which respects the people who participate and for whom the research is being conducted

9. Kotahitanga – Unity of Purpose • The research topic is an important one for both organisations • Research design and methodology meet the need for academic rigour and community rigour • Joint data collection, analysis, publication, and dissemination

10. Manākitanga – Unique Contributions • TOIHA • a wealth of experience in service design and delivery • an understanding of their community, of the community’s needs • A “grounded” reality to challenge the thinking of the academics

11. Manākitanga – Unique Contributions • WRMHD • experience in academic research • an understanding of the needs of policy and funding bodies, in both the research and health sectors • ability to translate Māori community knowledge into palatable findings for the academy and policy

12. Tiakitanga – Caring for Each Other • Respect for each other’s strengths and abilities • Communication is vital • Respect for participant’s knowledge • Desire for the research to contribute to service improvement and new knowledge

13. The Story So Far? • Literature review has thrown up some challenges for the project • Conceptually demanding • First round of interviews finished • Beginning dissemination in a range of fora (academic and community-based) • Research and the partnership are progressing well

14. Acknowledgements • The research participants • TOIHA Board Members • TOIHA Managers and Staff • Whanganui Whānau • The research funders • Health Services Research Centre • WRMHD staff