The voices of kaumātua during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Giving voice to kaumātua perspectives and experiences, and those of older people in general, during the COVID-19 pandemic has been rare because older people are more often spoken about than provided with opportunities to speak for themselves. When they have been spoken about, the focus has been on their vulnerability. While such vulnerabilities are a critical concern, this focus ignored their active participation in and contributions to their communities. Two video recordings were made, in which five Ngāti Whakaue kaumātua talked about their understanding and experience of the pandemic and the first nationwide lockdown. They also spoke about the activities in their community—Ohinemutu in Rotorua—and their roles and those of others from the village, especially in relation to a project during the lockdown called, “Feed the Pā”. Their kōrero contained descriptions of the various ways their community came together in support; the threat that COVID-19 posed to whakapapa, and therefore their collective tribal knowledge; and the value elders contribute to a community in times of stress.