The effects of raupatu on the health and wellbeing of Pirirakau = nga aria o te raupatu e pa ana ki te hauoratanga a Pirirakau : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Policy at Massey University

This thesis is about my hapu Pirirakau. It is a study of the effects of raupatu on our health and wellbeing and it focuses on the perception of health and wellbeing that is held by members of the hapu. I focus on the factors which enabled us to live and be well when our hapu was under attack. The people who have been interviewed were chosen by the hapu because of their commitment to the hauora of Pirirakau. The idea that the effects of the raupatu have been more widespread than is generally recognised is one that has been held for generations in Pirirakau, but it was not until recently that several events coincided to make this study possible. These were; the visit of the Waitangi Tribunal to Tauranga Moana, our research into our history and the requirements of my thesis. The information given by participants is presented with careful consideration to the meanings intended. It is my hope that the results of this research will become another useful planning tool to assist my hapu in improving our health status. As well, a feature of the study is to promote the use of a methodology that is Maori centred. Pirirakau is a traditional hapu who draw on the knowledge and wisdom of the past in order to achieve a modern approach to progress. As a researcher of Pirirakau descent I was privileged to be given unlimited access to information. Nevertheless the research had to satisfy the conditions of two worlds, Matauranga Maori and the Massey University requirements. The need to balance these has led to the use of a Maori centred research model. The participants constantly used their history and traditions as a reference point and focussed clearly on the importance of independence and mana motuhake. The recommendations are therefore about the right of my hapu to define and construct our own methodology and research. As well, to ascertain whether the claims settlements will have altered our perceptions of health