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Rangahau · Doctoral thesis

Te Kai Ora a Kāi Tahu: Conceptualising Kāi Tahu kai sovereignty and Māori nutrition data sovereignty

About this research

PhD Candidate: Hannah Rapata (Kāi Tahu)

Primary Supervisor: Associate Professor Donna Cormack

This research focused on “Te Kai Ora a Kāi Tahu” using kaupapa Māori qualitative methods to explore opportunities to strengthen connections between Kāi Tahu whenua, peoples, and waters.

The centrality of mahika kai to Kāi Tahu identity was explored with regards to the future of Kāi Tahu whānau and hapori control over kai sources, kai systems and kai practices for kai ora.

The convergence of Māori food sovereignty and Māori nutrition data sovereignty was explored and discussed from a national level through an analysis of national survey reports and secondary data. 

The findings from this analysis inform dialogue for the future of “Te Kai Ora a Kāi Tahu” within the context of the convergence of Māori food sovereignty and Māori nutrition data.

This research explored how Kāi Tahu can strengthen control over kai systems, sources, and practices. By weaving together insights on Māori food and nutrition data sovereignty, it offers a foundation for future whānau- and hapori-led kai ora initiatives.

Ētahi atu · Other projects

Research Programme

He oranga whānau: mahi ngātahi: Whānau livelihoods within the context of work and Māori economies of wellbeing
Kaiārahi · Project lead Professor Chellie Spiller
Whare wānanga · Host University of Waikato
Matakitenga · Framework
Wā rangahau · Timeline Completed 2025

He oranga whānau: mahi ngātahi: Whānau livelihoods within the context of work and Māori economies of wellbeing. These groundbreaking works celebrate Māori futures rooted in kaupapa Māori values while fostering pathways for responsible relationships, meaningful lives, and flourishing Indigenous wellbeing economies. By emphasising the central role of whānau…

Internship project

Separatism, or sovereignty? Exploring social media and news media narratives of Maaori tino-rangatiratanga in politics and health
Whare wānanga · Host University of Waikato
Matakitenga · Framework
Wā rangahau · Timeline Completed 2022

This internship analysed how race and racism are framed in New Zealand’s social and traditional media around key issues like constitutional reform and Māori health. Guided by a research team, the intern conducted manual content analysis to uncover overt and subtle expressions of racism.

Doctoral thesis

Protecting Ngāti Tiipa hapū data sovereignty
Whare wānanga · Host University of Otago
Matakitenga · Framework
Wā rangahau · Timeline Completed 2025

This project explores hapū data sovereignty for Ngāti Tiipa, using tikanga to protect and manage data for whānau. It tests a Māori data privacy framework with Ngāti Tiipa’s digital databases, drawing on their mātauranga to guide decisions on data privacy and sovereignty.