<p><em><span style="font-size:12px">Inspired by He Tomokanaga Hou, Ng&#257;ti Hauiti artist Mina Bourke (nee Potaka) created Tomokanga: Te Kore (above) a work included in the Mixed Media, UCOL 2017 Bachelor of Design and Arts exhibition .</span></em></p>

<h4>&nbsp;</h4>

<h4>Brief Description:</h4>

<p>Many M&#257;ori writers contend that there is a link between wellbeing and how closely you are connected to your M&#257;ori culture. They suggest that if you strongly identify as M&#257;ori, and actively take part &lsquo;in things M&#257;ori&rsquo;, you are more likely to feel good about being M&#257;ori and are more likely to have a positive sense of wellbeing. Anecdotally, Ng&#257;ti Hauiti wh&#257;nau experience a sense of wellbeing associated with identifying as Hauiti and being active &lsquo;in things M&#257;ori&rsquo;.</p>

<p>In January 2017, a collaboration between Whakauae Research for M&#257;ori Health and Development, the research arm of Ng&#257;ti Hauiti, and Te R&#363;nanga o Ng&#257;ti Hauiti saw the development of He Tomokanga Hou, a 17-month research study. The aim of the study, launched soon after, is to explore the link between culture and wellbeing by investigating the process of restoring the tomokanga whakairo at R&#257;t&#257; marae. Supported and sponsored by the iwi leadership, rangatahi have been encouraged to take an active role in the research. Subsequently, rangatahi have been recruited through Te R&#363;nanga, He Whetu Arataki (the Youth Leadership Programme) along with wider wh&#257;nau members recruited through Ng&#257;ti Hauiti networks. Participants have been exposed to the research process and had &nbsp;an opportunity to explore how important whakairo, whakapapa, waiata and other &ldquo;tangible&rdquo; taonga are, to both young and old.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h4>Outcomes / Achievements:</h4>

<p>Since the project began, &nbsp;key research related activities have included:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Preparation of an ethics application, since approved by New Zealand Ethics Committee;</li>
	<li>Conceptualising, designing and carving of the new tomokanga, He Ara ki Puanga, unveiled at a dawn ceremony on 19 November 2017. The unveiling was attended by members of Ng&#257;ti Hauiti and the wider M&#333;kai P&#257;tea confederation, community members, the local Mayor and other dignataries;</li>
	<li>Delivery of a &nbsp;series of w&#257;nanga that have included supporting participants associated with the project to gain a deeper understanding of their individual connection to the eponymous ancestor Hauiti, as well as to their respective descent and wh&#257;nau lines;</li>
	<li>Composition of a &nbsp;waiata, celebrating the creation of the tomokanga, by female iwi members and performed for the first time at the unveiling;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Preliminary analysis of data collected from participants throughout the course of the research. This analysis suggests that participation has strengthened iwi members ties to Ng&#257;ti Hauiti and to R&#257;t&#257; marae. Whakawhanaungatanga, the opportunity to learn whakapapa and the rare chance to physically participate in mahi whakairo were seen as particular benefits of participation.</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Analysis of He Tomokanga Hou data is continuing with results to be written up for publication in late 2018.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
