Pōwhiri process in mental health research

Abstract

Within the health research context, indigenous people globally have a commitment to provide their own solutions. Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) value the traditional Pōwhiri process of engagement and participation in mental health research. The practices and protocols within the Pōwhiri process (use in the Doctorate of Philosophy (2010) and Auckland University) are premised on the notion of respect and positive relationships between the tangata whenua (hosts or research participants) and manuwhiri (guests or researchers). This paper briefly describes the Pōwhiri process, which may be a model applicable to research with other indigenous cultures.

Hua Oranga: Service Utility Pilot of a Mental Health Outcome Measurement for an Indigenous Population

“…This project utilised kaupapa Māori protocols and practices directed by the Pōwhiri process of engagement and participation specifically the elements of karanga (consent), mihimihi, (clarify), whaikōrero (indepth discussion), and koha (reciprocity) (McClintock, Mellsop, Moeke-Maxwell & Merry, 2010). These are premised on the notion of connectedness, respect, and positive relationships between the tangata whenua (hosts, participants) and manuwhiri (guests, investigators).…”

Pilot of Te Tomokanga: A Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Evaluation Tool for an Indigenous Population

“…A kaupapa Māori philosophy, consistent with Māori aspirations and development, guided the methodology (McClintock, Mellsop, Merry, & Moeke-Maxwell, 2010). This approach is founded on self-determination and the legitimisation of Māori knowledge and processes, such as the traditional Pōwhiri process of engagement and participation (Durie, 2003;McClintock, et al, 2010;Smith, 1999).…”

“…This approach is founded on self-determination and the legitimisation of Māori knowledge and processes, such as the traditional Pōwhiri process of engagement and participation (Durie, 2003;McClintock, et al, 2010;Smith, 1999). This process relies on mutual respect and reciprocity where the researcher is dependant on the participant to consent to the research process.…”

Which family – What therapy: Maori culture, families and family therapy in New Zealand

“…As indicated above, effective delivery of health services to Maori particularly centres on recognizing the role of the extended family (whanau and hapu) in both the health of an individual (tangata whaiora) and in the utilization of services (Laird et al, 2010;McClintock et al, 2010McClintock et al, , 2011bMoeke-Maxwell et al, 2008). That research has clearly established and confi rmed that Maori whanau have views on how their family designated patients should be diagnosed, managed and communicated with.…”