About this research
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 contemporary Māori experience of death, primarily through wānanga held two-three times a year. These wānanga involve a wide range of participants from different iwi affiliations, as well as a Pacific Island representative.
The team have also engaged with the “death sector” in their research. Associate Professor Linda Nikora says that the challenge of the topic means there have been difficult moments of discussion but as a process it has worked.
This project is one of three in a Tangi Research programme led by the Principal Investigators. The Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga study, Aituā: Death in a changing Māori World, was the first and from this foundational support other grants from the Health Research Council and the Royal Society of New Zealand followed.
While the NPM study has drawn to a close, the research does not end here and will continue for the rest of the researchers’ lives, they say.
Outputs
Conference presentations
Awekotuku, N. T., & Nikora, L. W. (2012, June). Moengaroa: Death, lifestyle & sexuality in the Māori world. International Indigenous Development Research Conference 2012. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Auckland, New Zealand.
Bhana, V. M. H., Crapp, N., Poutu, H., Nikora, L. W., & Awekotuku, N. T. (2012, June). Death rituals: Running a tangi. How much and who pays? International Indigenous Development Research Conference 2012. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Auckland, New Zealand.
Nikora, L. W., & Masters, B. (2012, June). He aitua! Making final arrangements. International Indigenous Development Research Conference 2012. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Auckland, New Zealand.
Nikora, L. W., Temara, P., Awekotuku, N. T., & Seuili, B. (2012, June). Indigenous people talk about the changing nature of death rituals. Panel presentation at the International Indigenous Development Research Conference 2012. Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Auckland, New Zealand.
Peer reviewed journal papers
Malcolm-Buchanan, V., Awekotuku, N. T. & Nikora, L.W. (2012). Cloaked in Life and Death: Korowai, kaitiaki and
tangihanga. MAI Journal 1(1): 50-60.
Kairangahau · Researchers
Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Tūhoe
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
Linda Waimarie Nikora is co-director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga and a Professor of Indigenous Studies at Te Wānanga o…
Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora FRSNZ, HFNZPS
Ētahi atu · Other projects
We are now 30+ years on from when our children first had the opportunity to attend Kōhanga. They are a part of a fortunate generation, like those who will follow them. And so too are those that are following. But what of those older Māori, their parents and grandparents, some of who do speak te reo but many who do not? What challenges to tikanga, age…
View projectChallenges and continuities: Unintended impacts of Te Reo Māori language revitalisation efforts
We are now 30+ years on from when our children first had the opportunity to attend Kōhanga. They are a part of a fortunate generation, like those who will follow them. And so too are those that are following. But what of those older Māori, their parents and grandparents, some of who do speak te reo but many who do not? What challenges to tikanga, age related roles and relationships do these demographics present? Status, mana, roles, responsibilities, ritual duties and leadership are all age related concepts that, in the Māori world, assume a foundation of learning that leads to experience, competence and accumulated wisdom over time.
Conscious of the lack of serious inquiry into Kapa Haka, the CEO of Te Matatini Inc, the National Organisation for Kapa Haka in Aotearoa New Zealand approached Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand’s Māori Centre of Research Excellence (NPM), to make a start on rectifying this situation. This programme of research seeks to better appreciate the value and…
- Nikora et al. (2022). The Value of Kapa Haka – An Overview Report. Auckland, NZ : Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga
- Hall, M., & Bowden, L. (2021). Māori Performing Arts and Educational Outcomes Report.
- Meade, R. (2021). Exploring the Cultural Value of Kapa Haka – the Māori Performing Arts
- Mikaere, T.M. (2021). Ngā hua nui o te kapa haka.
- Nikora et al. (2021). Exploring the value and meaning of Kapa Haka - Māori Performing Arts : The Hine Rēhia Survey. Auckland, NZ
- Selby-Rickit, T.H.R. (2021). Ngā hua nui o te kapa haka.
- Te Huia, A., & Fox, R. (2020). Manawa ū ki te reo Māori : Matatini and non-Matatini survey responses
Ngā Hua a Te Matatini : The benefits of kapa haka to Aotearoa
- Nikora et al. (2022). The Value of Kapa Haka – An Overview Report. Auckland, NZ : Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga
- Hall, M., & Bowden, L. (2021). Māori Performing Arts and Educational Outcomes Report.
- Meade, R. (2021). Exploring the Cultural Value of Kapa Haka – the Māori Performing Arts
- Mikaere, T.M. (2021). Ngā hua nui o te kapa haka.
- Nikora et al. (2021). Exploring the value and meaning of Kapa Haka - Māori Performing Arts : The Hine Rēhia Survey. Auckland, NZ
- Selby-Rickit, T.H.R. (2021). Ngā hua nui o te kapa haka.
- Te Huia, A., & Fox, R. (2020). Manawa ū ki te reo Māori : Matatini and non-Matatini survey responses
This Ageing Well NSC research project explored the unique role of kaumātua within Ngāti Whakaue, challenging government definitions that homogenise Māori elders. It highlights how kaumātua serve whānau, marae, hapū, and iwi—and what’s needed to support and sustain their leadership into the future.
View projectKaumātua Futures: Ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata. Ngāti Whakaue Case Study
This Ageing Well NSC research project explored the unique role of kaumātua within Ngāti Whakaue, challenging government definitions that homogenise Māori elders. It highlights how kaumātua serve whānau, marae, hapū, and iwi—and what’s needed to support and sustain their leadership into the future.