About this research
Project Summary
This research focussed on investigating the transformative impact of Waka Ama, the traditional sport of outrigger canoe paddling, on young Māori women, guided by the holistic principles of Kaupapa Māori. Deeply rooted in cultural values and aspirations, the study explored how Waka Ama aligns with Māori cultural identity, fostering a profound sense of belonging and strengthening cultural connections among the participants, ultimately contributing to their flourishing Māori futures.
The research delves into the positive influence of active engagement in Waka Ama on the physical health of these young women, promoting teamwork, fitness, and overall vitality, thereby enhancing their potential for flourishing Māori futures.
Beyond the physical realm, the study delves into the psychological and emotional growth of the participants, unveiling how Waka Ama nurtures self-esteem, leadership skills, and resilience, thus further enriching their opportunities for flourishing Māori futures and overall well-being.
Its findings contribute to the broader discourse on Indigenous sports and well-being, while fostering the celebration and preservation of cultural heritage and nurturing the flourishing Māori futures of these young women, ensuring they thrive as leaders and contributors within the Māori community. Ultimately, the research celebrates the empowerment of young Māori women through their engagement in Waka Ama, enriching their lives and preserving their cultural heritage, while paving the way for their flourishing Māori futures.
Project Lead
Kay Berryman, University of Waikato
This research explored how participation in Waka Ama supports the wellbeing of young Māori women. Grounded in Kaupapa Māori, it examined how the sport strengthens cultural identity, promotes health and fitness, and builds leadership and resilience—supporting their flourishing as rangatahi Māori and contributing to the celebration and preservation of mātauranga Māori through sport.
Kairangahau · Researchers
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Dr Alayne Mikahere-Hall
Dr Alayne Mikahere-Hall
This research programme dives beneath the surface to expose how efforts to address racism in Aotearoa can be symbolic, sidelining Māori worldviews and limiting true transformation. Led through a kaupapa Māori lens, this programme challenges narrow, imported definitions of racism and equity, and confronts how dominant systems create and maintain Māori…
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Kairangahau · Researchers
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Associate Professor Donna Cormack
Associate Professor Donna Cormack
Donna has been involved in work on the collection and classification of ethnicity data in New Zealand, particularly as it relates to measuring and monitoring disparities. Most recently, Donna has been focused on work examining disparities in cancer outcomes and access to cancer services for Māori. She is involved in the Differential Colon Cancer Survival by Ethnicity in New Zealand project as well as Unequal Treatment: The Role of Health Services with Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare. -
Professor Sarah-Jane Paine
Professor Sarah-Jane Paine
Professor Sarah-Jane Paine (Tūhoe) is a leading Māori health researcher and internationally respected authority on Indigenous child wellbeing. She is Research Director and Principal Investigator of Growing Up in New Zealand, Aotearoa’s flagship longitudinal study of child development, and a Professor at Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.Her work in Kaupapa Māori epidemiology has influenced national policy in maternal and child health, racism and child wellbeing, food security, and youth wellbeing. Known for combining scientific rigour with strong community… -
Professor Papaarangi Reid
Professor Papaarangi Reid
Papaarangi is Tumuaki and Head of Department of Maori Health at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand. She holds science and medical degrees from the University of Auckland and is a specialist in public health medicine. She has tribal affiliations to Te Rarawa in the Far North of Aotearoa and her research interests include analysing disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous citizens as a means of monitoring government commitment to indigenous rights. -
Associate Professor Ricci Harris
Associate Professor Ricci Harris
Dr Ricci Harris (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu) is a public health physician and Research Associate Professor at Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare. She has research expertise in Māori health, epidemiology (including quantitative aspects of Kaupapa Māori research) and the investigation and elimination of ethnic health inequities in New Zealand. This has included research into the classification of ethnicity, ethnic disparities in health status and receipt of health services, and the impact of social determinants (e.g. SES and racism) on Māori health and inequities. Her current… -
Dr Arama Rata
Dr Arama Rata
Arama is of Ngāti Maniapoto, Taranaki, and Ngāruahine descent. She completed her PhD in Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington in 2012, which focused on Māori cultural engagement, identity, and psychological well-being in State secondary schools. Arama then lectured at Te Kawa a Māui (the School of Māori Studies), where she received a Research Establishment Grant to study Māori collective remembering of the New Zealand Wars. Dr Rata is currently involved with research relating to Māori health experiences, Māori in rural communities, as well as iwi consultancy. -
Hana Burgess
Hana Burgess
Hana (Ngäpuhi, Te Roroa, Te Ätihaunui a Päpärangi, Ngäti Tüwharetoa) (she/her) is doing a PhD in Mäori health, with supervision from Donna (Käi Tahu, Käti Mämoe) (she/her) and Papaarangi (Te Rarawa) (she/her)
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