About this research
PhD Researcher: Ahinata Kaitai-Mullane (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) (VUW)
Primary supervisor: Dr Annie Te One (VUW)
Project summary:
Throughout our lives, we navigate and journey through identity and the world in a vessel built from our culture, our experiences, our strengths, our aspirations, and our learnings. How we learn about and care for this vessel and ourselves is the heart of this PhD project. Specifically, Ahinata’s project engages with the experiences of wāhine and gender diverse Kāi Tahu, informed by iwi and gender specific contexts, in order to answer the question: How do we as wāhine and gender diverse Kāi Tahu learn about, become, and take care of ourselves, specifically in the areas of gender, sex, sexuality and body? The experiences of Kāi Tahu as we navigate our gender, sex, sexuality, and body are significant as they can inform both what works for us and what needs are unmet by the learning processes we engage with now. To gather our own experiences is to build our capacity to develop specific resources for Kāi Tahu whānau and young people to support us journeying in our vessels.
Ahinata’s project engages with the experiences of wāhine and gender diverse Kāi Tahu, informed by iwi and gender specific contexts, in order to answer the question: How do we as wāhine and gender diverse Kāi Tahu learn about, become, and take care of ourselves, specifically in the areas of gender, sex, sexuality and body?
Ētahi atu · Other projects
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This internship created a 3D-printed Tekoteko trophy using a biodegradable harakeke filament to honor the memory of Dr Paora Mato.
The project blends traditional Māori carving with contemporary art, sparking conversations about tikanga and cultural practice.
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This project trialled a bush-ready acoustic sound lure, co-developed with Auroa School students, to help draw out remaining possums from hard-to-reach areas of the Kaitake ranges.
Supporting Taranaki Mounga Project and DOC’s pest eradication goals, this innovative tech aims to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and protect precious biodiversity.
This internship explored the wellbeing benefits of daily karakia and waiata at the University of Canterbury, highlighting their role in fostering cultural connection and belonging. Using a braided rivers methodology, the project captured staff and student experiences of these powerful tikanga Māori practices.
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This internship explored the wellbeing benefits of daily karakia and waiata at the University of Canterbury, highlighting their role in fostering cultural connection and belonging.
Using a braided rivers methodology, the project captured staff and student experiences of these powerful tikanga Māori practices.