About this research
What current methods do Māori use to manage money? What financial products and services are likely to be effective for Māori and how might these be successfully implemented? What support can Māori organisations (including iwi) and the government provide to increase whānau financial literacy and savings?
Poverty within many Māori communities is perpetuated by low incomes, poor financial literacy and a lack of whānau role models who encourage saving. For change to occur, financial education, collaborative community efforts and radical behavioural shifts are required.
This project filled a historical lack of knowledge in this are by helping whānau Māori to explore, scope and design their own culturally responsive financial services. Using money management diaries weekly and bi-monthly interviews, the project gathered detailed data from 15–20 low-income Māori individuals/whānau over a 6-month period.
This data has informed the design of relevant community/hapū/whānau-based savings programme, as well as providing the impetus for a follow on research project which explores the efficacy of culturally responsive financial literacy education.
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Kairangahau · Researchers
Associate Professor Carla Anne Houkamau
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
Carla Houkamau (PhD) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management and International Business, the Director…
Associate Professor Carla Anne Houkamau
Ētahi atu · Other projects
What current methods do Māori (particularly those on low incomes and/or living in conditions of poverty) use to manage money? What financial products and services are likely to be effective for Māori and how might these be successfully implemented? What support can Māori organisations (including iwi) and the government provide to increase whānau financial…
View projectFinancial literacy for Māori realities: Designing culturally-responsive financial services and savings programmes for whānau Māori
This internship explored concepts of cultural richness through a Māori lens, guided by whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and aroha. Blending personal narrative and research, the project examined how cultural richness and social capital can be meaningfully expressed and embedded within urban environments.
View projectHow Great Can We Be? Identity Leaders of the Māori Economic Resistance
This internship explored concepts of cultural richness through a Māori lens, guided by whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and aroha. Blending personal narrative and research, the project examined how cultural richness and social capital can be meaningfully expressed and embedded within urban environments.
Tangi is the ultimate form of Māori cultural and community expression. Addressing the dearth of scholarly information, this study considers tangi practice, whakapapa, changing environments, community values, sharing knowledge, ritual and what it means to be Māori. The research team has been examining the life-values, beliefs and practices related to…
View project