Hui to Bring Kaupapa Māori Into Our Research
Lina Goldstein, PhD Student of Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington, Aotearoa.
For the last two years I’ve been lucky enough to dive into a project to research and design a medical alert to protect veins for dialysis fistulas, in collaboration with Ara Manawa and Te Herenga Waka’s School of Design Innovation. The project was initiated by nurses at Auckland City Hospital after identifying the need for a medical alert to help clinicians avoid procedures such as venepuncture (using a needle to take blood from a vein) and blood pressure measurement. A major challenge that renal patients and their clinicians face is trying to avoid these procedures that could cause damage to veins. Our aim is to discover the current user experience and co-design a safe, inclusive and useful medical alert prototype.
Last week we had the opportunity to embrace whanaungatanga and gather in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington for a hui. We discussed Kaupapa Māori frameworks for our research with Misty and ‘Whaea’ Te Inuwai Elia from Iwi United Engaged, Justin and Sarvnaz from Ara Manawa, and our academic supervisors Gillian and Edgar. . Our hui was a great time to discuss and learn how we can better incorporate Kaupapa Māori frameworks and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi within our research methods and processes. This is particularly important as the outcome, or Pae Ora, of all healthcare research and innovation in Aotearoa affects Māori.
With plenty of coffee, kai and laughter, the hui was a great day to talk to everyone face-to-face again, since our last hui, and to catch up on what stage we are at with our research. I value everything that I’ve learnt during our hui and have been able to apply it to my own research. It’s certainly a privilege to put in the mahi with such wonderful whanāu, and I’m looking forward to our next hui.
Ngā mihi nui,
Lina
THANKS TO
Whaea Te Inuwai Elia - Iwi United Engage
Whaea Misty Edmonds - Iwi United Engage
Dr. Edgar Rodriguez - Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington
Dr. Gillian McCarthy - Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington