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Tangata · NPM Researcher

Associate Professor Sonja Macfarlane

<span class=Associate Professor Sonja Macfarlane " loading="lazy" decoding="async">

Sonja’s research interest’s focus on the importance of culturally responsive, evidence based approaches in education, psychology, counselling, health and human development in order to enhance the social, cultural, educational and health outcomes that are achieved by Māori.

The importance of exploring 'what works well' for Māori as a pathway to responding to disparity and unlocking potential guides most of her research endeavours. She argues that many of the solutions for reducing such disparities actually reside in 'te ao Māori' (the Māori world, which includes Māori knowledge, protocols and practices). Strength-based, restorative and holistic approaches to individual and collective wellbeing are drawn on to support the development of such responses in contemporary times.

Rangahau · Related projects

Matakitenga project

22MR10Hikairo whānau book series – Culturally responsive teaching in Aotearoa
Kaiārahi · Project lead Dr Matiu Tai Ratima
Whare wānanga · Host University of Canterbury
Matakitenga · Framework
Wā rangahau · Timeline Commenced 2022 · Completed 2023

Project SummaryCurrently, the New Zealand Education system is failing Māori in almost every measure of educational progression. A significant part of the problem is the lack of cultural competence of the non-Māori majority teacher workforce. Given the projections of increasing Māori and Pacifica student populations, there is a compelling need to address the…

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Full project

Practices of Sustenance: Collaborative explorations into the contours of wellness: Cultural reflections and contentions
Whare wānanga · Host University of Canterbury
Wā rangahau · Timeline Commenced 2018

This project explored how tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau thrived in a changing world by supporting Māori wellbeing and success in diverse workplaces. Through research, interviews, and stakeholder input, it aimed to create a Māori-led Change Management Model and policy framework to foster sustainable incomes, cultural revitalisation, and balanced…

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Ētahi atu · Other people

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