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Rangahau · Doctoral thesis

Wairuatanga: Exploring understandings of wairua for rangatahi Māori in a youth forensic setting

About this research

PhD Researcher: Erani Motu (Ngāpuhi) (MU)

Primary supervisor: Dr Pikihuia Pomare (MU)

Project summary:

This research will explore wairua and spirituality for rangatahi Māori involved with a youth forensic service in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Tū Maia is the regional youth forensic service for Tāmaki Makaurau. Understanding wairua is crucial as it is essential to Te ao Māori. Tū Maia incorporates wairua in their work with rangatahi, which is considered essential to understanding and engaging with rangatahi and youth with offending behaviours. Assessment processes used at Tū Maia include Te Whare Tapa Whā, and they explore wairua. Although wairua is of utmost importance within Te Ao Māori, little to no research has explored wairua in the context of youth forensic services. Hence, this research will explore wairua in the context of the Aotearoa, New Zealand youth justice system, specifically for rangatahi Māori. This research will explore practitioners' understandings of wairua and how they implement this in their practice with rangatahi Māori at Tū Maia. Secondly, understanding how rangatahi Māori involved in Tū Maia define and understand wairua will also be explored.

This research will explore wairua and spirituality for rangatahi Māori involved with a youth forensic service in Aotearoa, New Zealand

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