Abstract:
The far north community of Kaeo (Whaingaroa rohe) is a pre-dominantly rural Maori community in Northland with low socio-economic status, seasonal work and high unemployment. This paper examines the methodology and findings of a joint venture research project between Te Runanga O Whaingaroa and Massey University to develop a comprehensive baseline of health indicators for tamariki and rangatahi in this community. It will examine issues such as capacity development from a community base, working with Runanga, Universities and local Health Centres, how to encompass demands for both cultural, clinical and research expertise in research of this type. The paper will also reveal some of the early findings on conceptions of hauora and how this applies to Maori youth and children, epidemiological information about this community, preliminary health survey findings and likely implications for the future in this community. This is a presentation for all those interested in how to grapple with the implications of working in a joint venture with a Maori community, including how to gather information, how to build and maintain relationships, how to understand the research process while also respecting the interests of communities who own this research. The findings also reveal unexpected results around hauora and what this means for Maori communities. The paper provides a basis for the presentation to the Conference from the researchers of the Whaingaroa Runanga, Kaeo community and Massey University.