Valery’s research topic: Kia Rauka I Te Turanga Memeitaki no te Iti tangata Anuanua o te Kuki Airani-Towards attaining holistic wellbeing for the Rainbow community of the Cook Islands.
“The research is a deliberate endeavour to shed light on the experiences of a unique and often marginalized community. It aimed to address the question, ‘what is Tūranga Memeitaki for the Ānuanua community’?
Grounded in the Akapapa’anga methodology (Powell, 2021), which delves into the intricate web of relationships and connections among individuals and groups, this research employs Māori genealogical analysis to unearth the nuanced dimensions of Tūranga Memeitaki within the Ānuanua community. By drawing upon family trees, oral traditions, historical records, and diverse information sources, this approach offers a comprehensive understanding of the community’s wellbeing dynamics.
To navigate the sensitive nature of discussions and the subject matter concerning the Ānuanua community, a novel method known as Kai Vānanga Vatavata (attentive conversations – Kai Vananga is a Cook Islands Maori concept which literally means spiritual food for conversation. While Kai typically denotes “spiritual food” as a noun or “to eat” as a verb, its juxtaposition with Vānanga infuses the conversation with a sacred essence. This thesis theorised the addition of the word Vatavata which means closely attentive with empathy – a notion that has been added for sensitive conversations) has been developed. Inspired by other Pacific approaches, this method has been customized to accommodate the specific needs and concerns of marginalized communities, ensuring respectful and culturally appropriate data collection and interpretation.
The principal outcomes derived from the Kai Vānanga Vatavata highlight the imperative of conducting research that is culturally relevant and led by Ānuanua for Ānuanua. It underscores the urgency of ceasing the compartmentalization or ‘othering’ of the Ānuanua community, recognizing resilience and beyond both within this community and more broadly, and transitioning from a focus on wellbeing to an emphasis on whole being.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to DevNet for awarding me a scholarship to pursue my Master’s thesis. This generous support not only alleviated financial burdens but also validated my dedication to advancing research in my field. With this opportunity, I was equipped to delve deeper into research, broaden my knowledge, and contribute meaningfully. I am grateful for this vote of confidence in my abilities; thank you sincerely.
Valery Wichman , Master’s student, Massey University”
