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<p>E ng&#257; rangatira o te whare o Whakauae, &#257;nei r&#257; &#257;ku mihi ki a koutou i riro te karahipi &ldquo;Kia Rite 2022&rdquo; ki ahau i t&#275;nei tau. I&rsquo;ve learnt many new skills and have developed a deeper understanding and interest for Kaupapa M&#257;ori Research during my time here.</p>

<p>Having come from a Biomedical Science background (aka. Western-quantitative research) I felt as a tauira M&#257;ori that I needed to broaden my vision and understanding around M&#257;ori health if I wanted to create safer spaces for the different wh&#257;nau M&#257;ori involved in and that engage with research.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The literature review I undertook explored the development of Kaupapa M&#257;ori Theory and Practice over the last decade in Aotearoa. Initially I revised the mahi of early Kaupapa M&#257;ori pioneers and key principles and elements they established which underlie whakaaro and mahi Kaupapa M&#257;ori. I then explored what literature is currently being done in the Kaupapa M&#257;ori space and what it currently looks like when researchers are adopting Kaupapa M&#257;ori ideologies and methodologies into their mahi.</p>

<p>I initially identified the increasing variety of research fields and scholars that have adopted Kaupapa M&#257;ori methodologies since the initial work within the education sector. The range of research fields included and is not limited to; Health, Business, Law, Artificial Intelligence, Gaming, Agriculture, Theatre and Arts, Filming and Science. From this I was able to also identify the issues and barriers that current researchers face when attempting to implement Kaupapa M&#257;ori methods to their research. This ranges from individual and institutional barriers to systemic barriers that will need to be addressed and overcome so that Kaupapa M&#257;ori can be utilised to its best potential for M&#257;ori.</p>

<p>I personally felt I went on a journey of discovery as well in gaining more understanding to how Kaupapa M&#257;ori research works so well for our wh&#257;nau. I am brought back to the whakatauk&#299;:</p>

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<p><strong>&ldquo;He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!&rdquo;</strong></p>
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<p>This whakatauk&#299; talks to the importance of meaningful human connection and relationships which I believe is where Kaupapa M&#257;ori thrives and allows our people to thrive within the research space whether that be a researcher or wh&#257;nau participant. If research is carried out with the values of Tika, Pono and Aroha, values which underpin a Kaupapa M&#257;ori approach, then you are sure to create impactful results for our wh&#257;nau in any area of research or mahi.</p>

<p>I feel I have gained more than just knowledge from this experience but perhaps a new supporting wh&#257;nau as I head into my next steps in completing a PhD that will adopt both a Kaupapa M&#257;ori approach and Western-science approach as I look at how an emerging cancer therapy can be improved and applied by M&#257;ori in Aotearoa.</p>

<p>Such a great and rewarding experience for me, thank you Tanya for the constant support and supervision and Amohia for the opportunities you&rsquo;ve provided me and the ongoing guidance. K&#257;ore e mimiti &#257;ku nei mihi ki a k&#333;rua &#333;tira ki a koutou o Whakauae. Mauriora!&nbsp;</p>
