Māori Psychology Notes

Karakia Timatanga: A prayer for guidance and wisdom that acknowledges the spiritual connections to the ancestors, establishing a foundation for engagement in psychological work. It emphasizes the importance of spiritual guidance in the therapeutic context and reflects the broader Māori worldview.
Learning Outcomes:
Describe key psychology concepts related to Māori identity, culture, and interconnectedness, helping practitioners to understand the unique psychological framework within which Māori operate.
Understand important psychological concepts in Māori culture, including mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge), tikanga Māori (customary practices), tapu (sacred) and noa (free from spiritual restriction), and mana (spiritual power), which shape Māori experiences and values.
Analyze the multifaceted impacts of colonization on Māori psychological knowledge and resilience, recognizing historical trauma and its continuing influence on present-day mental health issues.

Groot et al. (2018): Provides a comprehensive overview of Māori psychology in the modern context of Aotearoa, addressing cultural relevance and psychological practices that honor traditional Māori views.
Eruera & Ruwhiu (2015): Validates cultural constructs for Indigenous children, emphasizing the importance of culturally responsive frameworks in child psychology and education.
Moewaka Barnes & McCreanor (2019): Examines colonization's complicated legacy on Māori health and land, discussing systemic disparities and advocating for restorative justice.

Māori Identity (McIntosh, 2006):
Constructed through deeply ingrained Māori worldviews and traditional knowledge. Māori identity is dynamic, shaped by historical context, interactions with global cultures, and individual experiences.
Whakapapa (ancestry) is regarded as fundamental to Māori identity, encompassing personal and collective histories, cultural narratives, and teachings. It can be expressed not only through genealogy but also through practices, language, and place.

Coexists with mainstream New Zealand culture, yet retains distinct knowledge systems that inform social, psychological, and political interactions.
A balance of adaptation to contemporary society while preserving core Māori practices reflects resilience and strength, highlighting the intersection of Māori and Pākehā (European) cultures.

Connection to Place (Rua, 2017):
Māori identity incorporates profound ties to turangawaewae (place of belonging), signifying the several dimensions of identity linked to land, culture, and community. Each individual’s sense of self is enriched through relationships to specific geographies and histories.
Connection to People:
Māori identify through extensive familial ties (whānau, hapū, iwi) and shared whakapapa (genealogy). The fabric of Māori society extends beyond blood relations, encompassing various relationships and community bonds (kaupapa whānau), which provide support and identity.

Mātauranga Māori: Indigenous knowledge encompassing arts, science, history, and psychological understandings, offering alternative frameworks for interpreting mental health and well-being.
Tikanga Māori: Customary practices that maintain cultural coherence and social structures (e.g., pōwhiri - welcoming protocols, marae processes), crucial for community parity and individual identity validation.
Whakapapa: Importance of ancestry, kinship, and sense of belonging, functioning as a critical component for determining one’s place and identity in the world.
Mana: Represents spiritual authority and influence that must be nurtured within relationships; it is vulnerable to being gained or lost, emphasizing the importance of respectful interactions and community dynamics.
Mauri: Describes the life force that binds the physical and spiritual; an essential concept for understanding wellness that encapsulates the holistic perspective of health and well-being among Māori.
Wairua: The spiritual essence critical to Māori existence, representing a deep connection to the universe, ancestors, and the broader spiritual realities that influence daily life.

Colonization Insights:
Traditional Māori social structures were severely disrupted by British colonialism, which led to the alienation of land, loss of cultural practices, and deterioration of social cohesion.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi (1840): Created a framework for Māori rights, yet the uneven enforcement has led to longstanding grievances and health disparities that persist in the present.
Colonization Effects: Ongoing psychological impacts stem from cultural dislocation and historical trauma, illustrating how these legacies manifest as economic and health disparities in contemporary Māori society.

Māori methodologies emphasize resilience through cultural practices, aiming to restore and revitalize Māori identity and knowledge systems.
Te Whare Tapa Whā: A holistic health model developed by Sir Mason Durie, which acknowledges the importance of balancing physical, spiritual, mental, and familial health to achieve overall well-being.
Kaupapa Māori Research: Focuses on indigenous perspectives and self-directed frameworks, promoting Māori sovereignty and well-being, thereby advocating for culturally-grounded solutions to psychological and social issues.

Recognizing and uplifting Māori psychological concepts is imperative for addressing both historical and contemporary issues faced by Māori communities.
Ongoing advocacy for Māori rights, health, and cultural identity is essential for decolonizing methodologies in psychology and other fields, allowing for a greater inclusivity of indigenous perspectives.